Winetech Study Groups & SA Cellar Worker Programme : Turning opportunity into profit

Friday, 3 June, 2016
Unathi Mantshongo
Winetech Study Groups & SA Cellar Worker Programme turn opportunity, exposure and experience into rands and cents for South African wine cellars and their workers.

Explaining fermentation/fermentasie/uvubelo to cellar workers in a language they understand can be the most powerful tool in ensuring that they are informed and educated about the basics of wine and winemaking. The different grapes/druiwe/idiliya, whether red or white, are grown differently and are therefore made differently. Before there was wine chemistry and vine physiology, there were people at all levels coming together to make the best out of every berry that goes through the cellar. The difference between good and great cellars are those that take the time to ensure that their cellar workers – whether they are literate or not – know more about the precious fruit they are handling during and post-harvest.

The Winetech Study Groups do exactly that. This programme is brought to the wine industry by Winetech and the VinPro Foundation. The focus is technology transfer to cellar workers in the wine industry which leads to increased productivity. The cellars that have taken part have communicated an improved difference in their staff members after the training, one instruction leading to the right informed action, saving time and money.

After each study group the cellar workers are evaluated and the top 10 candidates are promoted to the SA Cellar Worker Programme for further evaluation. Three finalists for the SA Cellar Worker Programme are determined through a theoretical and practical evaluation. The SA Cellar Worker of the Year will be announced on 28 October 2016 at the annual SA Cellar Worker Information Day, sponsored by Nedbank. In line with the study groups, the Information Day is held to ensure continued transfer of knowledge to cellar workers.

Helmien Havenga (Nedbank Area Manager) said, “This programme allows all cellar workers, irrespective of their background or literacy levels, to grow their knowledge, making them more employable and taking an active part in growing the South African economy. Our interest, as Nedbank, is focused on financial literacy training as well as alcohol abuse awareness. Being employed means earning an income, which needs knowledge on managing that income and avoiding black holes such as alcohol and/or substance abuse.”

Nedbank supports the South African wine industry in several initiatives focusing on technology transfer, environmentally responsible farming and ground roots development. Their strategy is about enriching the industry on all levels. Their support for the SA Cellar Worker Information Day is focused on excellence.

The initiatives on different development and information transfer levels include:

  • The SA Cellar Worker Information Day (entry level information and knowledge transfer)
  • The Cape Wine Makers Guild Auction (proceeds raised are in aid of the Protégé Programme, which is improving employability of previously disadvantaged graduates)
  • The annual Nedbank Green Wine Awards (focussing on promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly farming practises)

They have also been supporting the Nedbank VinPro Information Day (dedicated to strategic industry information sharing) since 2007.

The Study Groups and SA Cellar Worker Programme are about instilling a sense of confidence in the individuals irrespective of their backgrounds. It is about strengthening the industry from within by investing in the potential that exists. The VinPro Foundation, Winetech and Nedbank share this very vision and have made it possible through the Study Groups, SA Cellar Worker Programme and Information Day which is available for free/gratis/mahala to cellars throughout the industry.

For more information please contact Santi Basson at santib@mweb.co.za or 072 298 8186.