At South Africa Wine, we recognise that the future of our industry is as much about people as it is about producing excellent wine. Our involvement in the Cape Winemakers Guild (CWG) Protégé Programme reflects this belief as we invest significantly in young winemakers’ growth and career development.
In 2024, we contributed R350 000 to the programme, supporting various career development initiatives designed to empower and nurture future wine industry leaders. These funds have gone towards training, mentorship, and educational experiences preparing protégés for successful winemaking and viticulture careers. For 2025, South Africa Wine will make an additional investment of R250 000, underscoring its commitment to the next generation of winemakers.
The Cape Winemakers Guild (CWG) Protégé Programme is a prestigious career development initiative that offers a comprehensive three-year internship to aspiring winemakers and viticulturists. Launched in 2006, the programme is designed to cultivate the next generation of winemaking leaders by providing them hands-on experience, mentorship, and exposure to every facet of the process. Protégés are carefully selected from final-year students of previously disadvantaged backgrounds, and they work closely with some of the most renowned winemakers in South Africa.
Key highlights of the programme include intensive personal coaching, psychometric assessments, and financial training, ensuring protégés are equipped with essential life and business skills. The international harvest experience in famous wine regions such as Burgundy, France, offers second-year protégés unparalleled global exposure, allowing them to refine their craft alongside leading international winemakers. The programme also covers CV writing, interview skills training, and practical winemaking education, all contributing to a holistic learning experience that prepares participants to excel as future industry leaders.
Kachné Ross, People Development Manager, expressed her enthusiasm for the programme, “The Cape Winemakers Guild Protégé Programme is important in shaping the future of winemaking in South Africa. At South Africa Wine, we believe in creating growth opportunities and investing in the people who will drive the industry forward. It’s about more than just wine. It’s about empowering individuals to reach their full potential.”
This programme covers a range of crucial skills, from psychometric assessments and personal coaching to international harvest experiences and financial training. These experiences equip participants with the tools to excel in an increasingly competitive and innovative industry.
“In 2025, we look forward to seeing even more talented individuals enter the programme. Our investment, alongside the work of our partners and colleagues in the CWG, is essential to building a sustainable, inclusive future for the wine industry. We are committed to people development, a key pillar in ensuring South Africa remains at the forefront of the global wine market.”