WeeklySA_AdminPROTÉGÉ: Breaking barriers, one sip at a time, the Cape Winemakers Guild is working to empower new role players from the previously disadvantaged communities…
By WSAM Reporter
Over the past few years, the Cape Winemakers Guild Development Trust has been focusing on including more young black women in their Protégé Programme.
In 2019, a learner programme was launched, which aims to offer black female Grade 11 learners an introduction to viticulture and oenology as a potential university degree and, ultimately, winemaking as a potential career path. Viticulture and Oenology students also receive support through the Cape Winemakers Guild Development Trust’s ‘Buddy Programme’ where they get the opportunity to connect with current Protégés.
This release takes the form of an interview with two first-year Protégés who participated in the inaugural Learner Programme and received invaluable support from the Buddy Programme.
Since its inception in 2006, the Cape Winemakers Guild Protégé Programme has established itself as the South African wine industry’s most successful skills development initiative. Part of its success lies in the fact that well before entering the programme, potential protégés have access to an established support structure to help prepare them for the role. For first-year protégés Lulo Bulo and Nompumelelo Mosaka, this journey started back in 2019 when they participated in the Cape Winemakers Guild Development Trust’s inaugural Learner Programme.
Taking the form of an annual four-day educational trip to the winelands during the June school holidays, the programme aims to offer black female Grade 11 learners an introduction to viticulture and oenology as a potential university degree and, ultimately, winemaking as a potential career path. Criteria for the selection of the learners included a keen interest in biological science and consistently achieving above-average marks in mathematics and physical sciences. Hailing from Pretoria, Bulo and Mosaka both originally had their sights set on health sciences, however, participating in the educational visit to the winelands opened their eyes to the alchemical magic of winemaking.
Bulo, who was enrolled in the SciMathUS bridging course to improve her NSC results at the time, recalls attending a dinner where a few Cape Winemakers Guild Protégés were in attendance.
“The South African agricultural industry can come across as being very male-dominated and white, but these protégés were proving to us that people of colour and women – literally anyone who was interested – would be welcomed with open arms,” she says. “That felt very accommodating and I felt hugely supported by them.” Along with this, the fact that winemaking offers a perfect blend of nature, science and artistry piqued Bulo’s interest.
Mosaka, who was a Grade 12 learner at the time and had already been provisionally accepted at the University of Witwatersrand (Wits), experienced a similar Damascus moment during the educational visit. Finding herself buoyed by the passionate enthusiasm the winemakers and protégés had for their craft, she knew it was something she wanted to experience for herself.
“What captured my interest most was the multidimensionality of it,” she says. “As a person in the wine industry, you aren’t limited to just being one thing. You get to play all these different roles, which is really stimulating to me as an individual.
Five years later, Bulo and Mosaka both hold degrees in Viticulture and Oenology from Stellenbosch University and, of course, find themselves in the sought-after position of having been accepted into the Protégé Programme. They are spending their respective first years under the mentorship of Cape Winemakers Guild members, Warren Ellis (Neil Ellis Wines) and Carl Schultz (Hartenberg Wine Estate).
While completing their four-year degrees, both made use of the Buddy Programme – another initiative of the Cape Winemakers Guild Development Trust – to connect with Protégés and gain real-world insights into life as a winemaking apprentice. Having access to these ‘buddies’ was also a great way to familiarise themselves with the Protégé Programme. Although both young women had to complete a harvest as part of their final year at university, their first harvests as Protégés have proven to be unparalleled learning opportunities.
“Starting my journey at Neil Ellis, one of the renowned names in the industry made me nervous for sure, especially because it was also my first harvest with red wine,” says Bulo. “I was, however, inspired and excited to face this challenge and eager to learn and contribute as much as I can.”
With this positive attitude, she has found herself supported and encouraged throughout.
“I wasn’t sure if I would be equipped to deal with all the pressure of the red wine-making process, but the team was so supportive and everyone made an effort to help me understand every step of what I was doing,” she says. “With that, I saw that I was more than capable.”
Mosaka had a similar experience at Hartenberg where the relatively small harvest allowed her the luxury of time to process everything she was learning in real-time. “I wasn’t just doing things for the sake of getting a job done, but I could really think about it as I worked and ask questions,” she says. “So far, Hartenberg has sparked a passion and hunger to keep learning about wine and hopefully, follow in my mentor, Carl’s footsteps to also be a pioneer in this space at some point.”
When it comes to their career aspirations, these young women have big dreams that include international travel, further study and finding their own style and unique expression as winemakers.
Something that stands out about their response to the question about what they hope to achieve in the future, is the altruistic desire to give back and contribute. Says Bulo: “I hope to help give back to the South African wine industry, helping it to grow and expand into new markets, communities and cultures; encouraging experimentation and innovation, breaking down stereotypes and being a supporter to those aspiring to become a part of the industry by sharing my knowledge and cheering them on.”
For her part, Mosaka says: “I want to learn about diverse wine cultures across the globe, with a specific focus on traditional sparkling wine style, and observe closely international innovative techniques and scientific approaches to bring back and contribute to the local wine industry.”
Unsurprisingly, this longview approach of self-development to help develop future generations is something the Protégé Programme fosters.
Says Magda Vorster, Protégé Programme facilitator: “Breaking barriers, one sip at a time, the Cape Winemakers Guild is working to empower young black women to dream big in the world of winemaking, fostering a future of transformation and possibility.”
• The Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction, which will take place at the Lord Charles Hotel in Somerset West on 5 October 4 and 5, the Cape Winemakers Guild Protégé Auction is a major fund-raising initiative for the Protégé Programme, as all proceeds are channelled back into supporting the protégés.
EVENTS
Lesotho Wine Fest
THE 11th edition of the annual Lesotho Wine Festival, the premier wine and tourism event in the country, is set to take place at Maseru Club grounds from October 4 and 5
The festivities will begin with an exclusive “Oysters and Bubbles” event at Maseru Club on Independence Day next Friday, followed by the main Festival the following day.
This year’s festival will feature 40 wine producers and a selection of 160 wines, coinciding with the celebration of Lesotho’s 200th anniversary as a nation. The festival is sponsored by FNB Lesotho.
The performances will be headlined by American House music muso, Harrison Crump, with the locals also billed to showcase their skills.
In addition to fine wines and live music, the festival will feature gourmet meals prepared by renowned Basotho chefs, including celebrated Chef Jobo Monaheng. Tickets cost R650.
PnP Wine Show
The Pick n Pay Wine and Food Festival Johannesburg will ring the start of summer by celebrating South African wines at the Wanderers Club in Johannesburg from October 5 and 6.
Visitors to the two-day will enjoy award-winning wines, delicious food options and live music at The Wanderers Club. In addition, they have the opportunity to sample wines from approximately 50 top estates. And if you love bubbles, you’re in for a treat with a variety of Cap Classique and sparkling wines for all to enjoy.
The food market section will serve an assortment of dishes prepared with fresh ingredients such as fish and chips, fresh salads, sushi and indulgent cheese and charcuterie boards.
A popular fixture, the Pick n Pay Tasting Room Sessions, will take wine lovers on ultimate sensory journey with celebrity chef that will involve pairing wines with freshly prepared gourmet canapés.
Another hotspot at the show will be the VIP hospitality area, which gives guests exclusive access to a dedicated shaded seating area, where you can enjoy the day in comfort and style, complete with complimentary food and beverage service.
Tickets, available via Webtickets, cost R275 for general access, which gets you a day pass, a wine glass, 20 wine tasting vouchers. The R375 ticket includes access to the Tasting Room. VIP hospitality tickets available at R2850. The events starts at 12pm and lasts until 6pm.
WineX Ticket Sales
South Africa’s premier consumer event – Standard Bank WineX – takes place at the Sandton Convention Centre from October 30 to November 1.
Early Bird tickets are on sale now, with special offers via online purchases valid until 20 October. Thereafter, full rate tickets are available online and at the door.
Johannesburg is soon to be awash with the shades of wine in time for the arrival of at least 140 exhibitors in Sandton – to comprise a variety of well-known award-winning cellars and boutique brands, a range of artisanal foodies and bespoke accessory suppliers.
The all-popular Tasting Theatre programme (small group themed 30-minute tastings with the wine maker) will again be in full swing.
Early bird tickets available via webtickets: October 31 (R240); November 1 (R275) per ticket. Full rate tickets from October 21 and at the door: October 31 (R275); November 1 (R345) per ticket. Standard Bank clients will receive a discount of up to 30% on their ticket purchase, limited to four tickets per transaction.
Cellar Rats Postponed
Cellar Rats Spring Wine Festival, which was to take place along the riverbank at Riversands Farm Village in Johannesbrg, has been postponed indefinitely.
Wine lovers would have been treated to an outdoor fun day complemented by unlimited tasting of wines from a host of producers who will be presenting a variety of wines, bubbles, craft gin, deli products and more for your enjoyment.
