The three new Cape Wine Masters: Liezl Richards, Linda Birch, and Natalie van Rooyen.
Three new Cape Wine Masters were presented with their CWM diplomas at the annual awards luncheon of the the Cape Wine Academy (CWA) and the Institute of Cape Wine Masters (ICWM) held at the KWV Cathedral Cellar in Paarl on 16 August.
The three new Cape Wine Masters are Liezl Richards, national sales manager and export manager of Gabriëlskloof since 2019; Linda Birch who is a qualified conveyancing attorney consulting for Bellingham Muller Hanekom Attorneys since 2021; and Natalie van Rooyen, production manager and winemaker at Coastal Wine Export in Paarl since 2016.
Birch's dissertation examines "The Evolution of Colombar in South Africa". Richards' dissertation is titled "Unveiling the Grapevine: Exploring Growth Opportunities for the South African Wine Industry in Scandinavia". Van Rooyen’s dissertation focuses on "Tannins and their Role in Wine".
These dissertations are available in full on the ICWM website: www.icwm.co.za
The welcome address at the KWV Cathedral Cellar in Paarl was delivered by John Loomes, CEO of KWV. James Ochse, winemaker for Roodeberg led a special wine tasting of this iconic Cape red blend to mark its 75th anniversary.
The names of the respective winners of the Wine Personality of the Year award and the Dave Hughes trophy were announced on Saturday, 17 August at the annual ICWM black-tie dinner held at Eenzaamheid in Agter-Paarl. (Coincidentally Janno Briers-Louw, who is the 7th generation winemaker on the Eenzaamheid family farm, also attained his Cape Wine Masters qualification in 2016.)
Ina Smith was designated the 2024 Wine Personality of the Year for her involvement in the wine industry over more than 22 years, specifically her achievements working for the Chenin Blanc Association since 2009, and her passion for educating consumers and the trade on Chenin Blanc as a wine of enjoyment.
Ina Smith is the 2024 Wine Personality of the Year. recognised for her involvement in the wine industry over more than 22 years – specifically her achievements related to the Chenin Blanc Association. With her are Bennie Howard (L) with Mark Philp (R), chairman of the ICWM.
The Chenin Blanc Association was formed in 2000 to promote the Cape’s most widely planted grape and membership has grown to 150. Since 2014 Ina was instrumental in instituting the annual Top Ten Challenge competition to identify and reward the top Chenin Blanc wines in South Africa.
The fifth winner of the Dave Hughes Trophy is Cape Wine Master Lizette Tolken, an admitted attorney, notary, and conveyancer of the High Court of South Africa and currently the human resources manager at Boekenhoutskloof Winery.
This annual trophy was instituted in 2020 in honour of Dave Hughes, co-founder and honorary CWM of the Cape Wine Academy, and is awarded annually to the CWM who has made a notable contribution to the ICWM, wine education, or the wine industry in general.
Tolken, who qualified as a Cape Wine Master in 2012, almost immediately involved herself with the education of Diploma and Cape Wine Master students. She is a dedicated formal and informal mentor to many students and two of them are graduating this year. Her contribution to wine extends well beyond her role as a much loved and respected lecturer at the CWA. She has served for eight years as Educom Representative on the ICWM Exco.
Lizette Tolken, the fifth winner of the Dave Hughes trophy, which is awarded annually to the CWM who has made a notable contribution to the CWM, wine education, or the wine industry in general. With her is Mark Philp (R).
As the new chairperson of the ICWM, CWM Mark Philp also announced the names of three new candidates who have started the Institute’s Vision 2030 CWM development bursary programme this year. They are Narissa Pieters, junior winemaker at Rustenburg Wine Estate, Kelsey Shungking, assistant winemaker at Mullineux and Leeu Family Wines, and Lerato Molekeki, Gauteng territory manager for Beck Family Estates.
“International funding and industry partnerships are strategically used to ensure a sustainable feed of qualifying candidates for the programme and help us to build a racially and culturally diverse wine community locally as well as internationally. The two original Vision 2030 candidates have now comfortably settled down to the intensity of the self-study material and the discipline required to pass the examinations.”
The first two candidates on the development programme Lethabo Komana, a chef and events management consultant and Xolani Mancotywa, a certified sommelier, qualified chef and culinary artist, featured in an SABC2 television programme ‘Stories Untold’ which aired on 9 September 2023.
The Institute of Cape Wine Masters
The Cape Wine Academy was launched on 1 May 1979 as part of the Stellenbosch Farmers' Winery (SFW) Wine plan. In 2003, the Cape Wine and Spirit Education Trust granted the CWA the right to award the Cape Wine Master (CWM) qualification and confer the Cape Wine Master’s title, in collaboration with the Institute of Cape Wine Masters.
The first three CWMs to graduate in 1983 were Bennie Howard, the late Duimpie Bayly and the late Tony Mossop, who were also the founding members of the ICWM in 1983.
With the addition of the latest three CWMs, the number to attain this elite self-study qualification in the 45-year history of the CWA has now reached 116, including the three honorary members. Of the total current active membership of the Institute, Western Cape members comprise 76%, Gauteng 20%, KwaZulu-Natal 3%, and Free State 1%, with overseas members making up 20% and RSA members 80%. The profile of the total membership (since inception, including deceased and resigned members) is 51% male and 49% female.
Three new exco members were elected at the AGM of the Institute of Cape Wine Masters in May – Mark Philp as chairperson, René Groenewald as marketing co-ordinator and Tom Blok as Treasurer. Other members include Raymond Noppé as secretary, Lizette Tolken as Educom representative, and Heidi Duminy, the principal of the Cape Wine Academy, serving in an ex officio capacity.
Summaries of CWM dissertations
Liezl Richards' dissertation: "Unveiling the Grapevine: Exploring Growth Opportunities for the South African Wine Industry in Scandinavia"
The dissertation focuses on Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark, exploring the history, economic context, and unique regulatory frameworks of each country, particularly the wine tender systems and consumer buying patterns. The study analyses South Africa's market share and marketing opportunities within these nations.
Additionally, it investigates branding, labelling requirements, and the challenges faced by South African wine exporters in these markets. By providing case studies and discussing trends, sustainability, and competition, the dissertation aims to identify strategies for enhancing the presence of South African wines in the Nordic region.
Click HERE to download the dissertation.
Linda Birch's dissertation: "The Evolution of Colombar in South Africa"
The objective of this assignment is to examine the “Evolution of Colombar in South Africa” – spanning the initial introduction of the variety in South Africa in the 1900s, mainly for use in the production of brandy and as a fortifying grape, to its sudden emergence in 1970 as a natural wine of some standing.
Since 2021, Colombar has won many accolades leading to the question: whether South Africa is on the cusp of a breakthrough in the wine world with this variety? South Africa is the biggest producer of Colombar in the world, but could it become our proudly South African signature variety?
A more in-depth knowledge of the grape's varietal characteristics, its ampelographic (identification and classification of grape vines), and viticultural information are included, as well as a focus on the various wine-making techniques and styles.
Colombar in the international arena is also discussed to highlight the global perspective and the relevance of this variety.
Included in this dissertation is the approach to marketing the variety, as well as various industry opinions on the future of Colombar within the South African context.
Various sources were consulted to provide a more detailed overview of Colombar in South Africa. Interviews were conducted, and the opinions and perspectives of various viticulturists, winemakers, and industry professionals are included in this dissertation.
Click HERE to download the dissertation.
Natalie van Rooyen's dissertation: "Tannins and their Role in Wine"
Tannins play a crucial role in shaping the sensory characteristics, aging potential and overall quality of a wine. They can be seen as the essence of the wine, contributing to the overall drinkability and enjoyment.
This dissertation explores tannins and their complex nature, starting with the production in the grapes and their extraction and development in the wine. Numerous aspects of tannins are covered, namely the different sources, viticultural and winemaking factors affecting tannins, the influence of tannins on a wine’s organoleptic properties (relating to the taste, colour, odour and feel qualities of wine that stimulate the sensory organs), health benefits and the effects on the aging potential of the wine.
A unique survey investigates the management of tannins during winemaking by South African winemakers. This provides insightful clues to the winemaking practices that are being applied, scientific insights into tannin management, as well as the use of oenological tannins.
Through an interdisciplinary approach, this study provides a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted role of tannins in the world of wine.
Click HERE to download the dissertation.
All the Cape Wine Masters who attended the graduation ceremony at Cathedral Cellar.