RICO BASSON
CEO South Africa Wine
Rico is responsible for ensuring that the South African wine industry’s strategic plan is carefully crafted and effectively implemented and that the organisation’s objectives align with the industry’s overall goals. Under his leadership, South Africa Wine plays a vital role in shaping the industry’s future and driving sustainable development and prosperity. Rico guides and leads a dedicated team to achieve organisational goals and works closely with team members to ensure projects progress smoothly, providing direction, support, and motivation. He collaborates with various partners, fostering strong relationships to drive strategic initiatives and partnerships forward.
CHRISTO CONRADIE
Stakeholder Engagement, Market Access & Policy Manager
Christo is responsible for proactively engaging with stakeholders across all levels of government and organised agricultural businesses to ensure that the interests of our members are heard and understood. He works closely with the respective divisions within South Africa Wine and other relevant bodies such as the Wine Certification Authority (WCA), Food Safety and Quality Assurance (Liquor Products), National Treasury (NT/SARS), Drinks Federation SA (DF-SA), Aware, Transnet, Freight Forwarders, and suppliers along the wine-value chain. We actively consult with and seek input from our members on essential issues to effectively manage business- and reputational risks (i.e. international trade and market access, regulatory activities, illicit trade, excise, and logistics).
MARISAH NIEUWOUDT
Wine Tourism Manager
Marisah leads tourism research, development, and destination marketing for South Africa’s wine sector, managing the Visit Winelands website, and developing campaigns that drive awareness and conversion. She represents and promotes wine tourism across regions, acting as a central reference point. Her role involves extensive relationship management, collaborating with partners like the SA Wine Routes Forum (SAWRF), Wesgro, the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (SATSA), WoSA, South African Tourism, Cape Winelands District Municipality, and Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA).
Tourism: Marketing Coordinator
Hill-Garth Carollisen brings spark and originality to every idea. She’s the marketing coordinator behind fresh, fun campaigns that get people talking and she runs the Visit Winelands platforms. She keeps things bold and approachable, whether it’s a clever social post or a creative twist on a tourism project.
WANDA AUGUSTYN
Head of Brand and Communications
Wanda Augustyn oversees all communications and is responsible for creating, enhancing and growing South Africa Wine’s brand awareness locally and globally. Her role encompasses creating impactful and timely content that aligns with South Africa Wine’s strategic goals, managing relationships to build a network of ambassadors and solidifying the organisation’s reputation as an authoritative industry body.
ADÉLE CHANGUION
Communications Officer
Adéle is instrumental in improving internal communication within South Africa Wine. She manages staff communications, including newsletters, social media, events, staff orientation, and event planning and coordination. Adéle creates corporate collateral for multiple platforms and helps manage the digital presence.
JOHANNES RICHTER
Journalist
Johannes writes for WineLand magazine and manages the newsletter, which curates and delivers relevant industry news, insights, and updates to subscribers. Johannes’ compelling storytelling and effective communication contribute significantly to keeping the wine community informed and connected. He also manages the collation of our annual South African Wine Industry Directory (SAWID).
INGERÉSE SCHOEMAN
Journalist / Online Editor
Ingerése writes for WineLand, and she manages WineLand Media’s digital footprint. As the website manager, she curates content to keep the platform informative and user-friendly. Ingerése also oversees social media, using a variety of platforms to engage with audiences and foster community interaction. Aside from her editorial duties, she showcases her creative side as the studio videographer, capturing visuals that complement and enhance the written narrative.
DORONAE DE RIDDER
Editorial Coordinator
Doronae provides administrative help to the communications team and coordinates the editorial content for the technical articles in WineLand.
MARTINA NEWMAN
Admin & database coordinator
Martina oversees administrative tasks and data coordination at South Africa Wine and WineLand Media. Her responsibilities include managing the contact database, providing support for company projects and events, and handling administrative tasks and queries associated with the distribution and subscriptions of WineLand magazine.
TALITHA WESSELS
Advertising Manager
Talitha oversees WineLand Media’s advertising campaigns, ensuring revenue growth and client satisfaction. Her responsibilities include selling advertising space across our print and digital platforms and generating new business through features, collaborations, and sponsorships.
GERARD MARTIN
Research, Development And Innovation Executive
Gerard ensures that the South African wine industry recognises and uses science and technology as foundation stones for business success. Gerard has worked in the wine research, development and innovation environment for almost 20 years. He is passionate about innovation, co-creating value-adding research projects, and developing people and knowledge that benefits the entire agriculture ecosystem. Internationally, he represents South Africa Wine on a large Horizon Europe research consortium as an innovation and technology transfer expert.
ANEL ANDRAG
Research, Development And Innovation Manager – Viticulture
Anel facilitates the smooth and efficient operation of the viticulture R&D committees, including the flagship committees, and serves on all the other RDI committees. She coordinates internal networks and manages external and internal public relations and networking by handling queries and requests, attending industry events, and participating in industry forums. Additionally, she compiles the budget and manages the funds for all projects and initiatives within the Research, Development and Innovation portfolio. Internationally, Anel is the Viticulture Scientific Expert for South Africa at the International Organisation for Vine and Wine (OIV).
DR ADRIAAN OELOFSE
Research, Development And Innovation Manager – Oenology
Adriaan is responsible for the oenology R&D portfolio, supporting the management and efficient operation of all R&D vitivinicultural committees. His role ensures that projects selected for funding align with industry needs and sustainability goals. As a member of the Innovation Committee, he provides strategic and commercial insights important for evaluating the potential of research ideas. Adriaan also oversees the digital platform for South Africa Wine, utilising Google Cloud technology to support research initiatives and other agricultural industries. Internationally, he serves as the Vice President of the Expert Group Techno under Commission II at the OIV, an intergovernmental organisation and represents South African Wine at FIVS, participating in various task forces, including the Codex Task Force and the Scientific Technical Committee, to monitor and address potential technical trade barriers affecting the industry.
RDI: Knowledge Transfer Coordinator
Chandré Davey brings deep winemaking expertise and a fresh perspective to the RDI team. As Knowledge Transfer Officer, she’s passionate about bridging the gap between research and practice, making sure insights reach the people who can use them.
SHA-IESTA ANDERSON
Office Administrator
Sha-Iesta offers comprehensive support to the Research, Development and Innovation department. Her role encompasses office management and coordination and ensuring our departmental administrative efficiency.
KARIN KLEINBOOI
Executive Manager: Inclusion And Development
In her capacity at South Africa Wine, Karin spearheads the inclusivity and diversity initiatives within the wine and brandy industry value chain. With a strategic emphasis on enterprise development, workforce empowerment, skills enhancement, and socio-economic progress, her department provides industry-wide guidance to ensure authentic inclusivity and diversity, advancing equity and representation. She excels in stakeholder management, programme oversight and management, policy advocacy, and strategy implementation, leveraging these skills to drive impactful change across the sector.
NATASHA LODEWYK
Administrative Assistant
As an administrative assistant, she offers comprehensive support to the Transformation & Development department, and the South Africa Wine Industry Professional Body (SAWIPB) and Industry Advisory programmes. Her role encompasses office management and coordination and ensuring our departmental administrative efficiency.
BRUNHILDA BRINKHUIS
Coordinator: Enterprise Development
As the Enterprise Development Coordinator, Brunhilda ensures the efficient operation of the suite of enterprise development services offered by South Africa Wine, addressing any issues that arise. She liaises with new industry entrants, clearly conveying the rules and procedures required under the enterprise development framework. Brunhilda oversees the efficient implementation of wine promotion events. She assists enterprises with the necessary documentation and procedures, enhancing their chances of forming partnerships with the industry and securing funding. Additionally, she manages a monitoring and evaluation system, ensuring that grant recipients are well-equipped to report their progress effectively.
KACHNÉ ROSS
Manager: People and Skills Development
Kachné is entrusted with propelling the educational trajectory of practitioners within the South African wine industry. Key initiatives within the people and skills development programme include the introduction of a cutting-edge cloud-based people management solution, the South Africa Wine Learner Management System, which is about to revolutionise the workforce dynamics in the wine industry.
EDEN MARLAINE DU PLESSIS
Officer: People and Skills Development
Eden Marlaine holds the position of the People and Skills Development Officer at South Africa Wine. The portfolio call to action is to pave the way for an adaptive learning and development environment within the South African wine industry. Her role specifically focuses on the smooth integration of digitally tracking the industry talent pool and utilising this data to underpin the skills gaps within the industry. Through coordinated efforts, she ensures that these opportunities are effectively delivered and accessible to individuals seeking personal and professional growth within the South African wine industry.
PHIL BOWES
Manager: Inclusive Growth Strategies
Phil raises funds and manages agreements with banks, government agencies, and development organisations to ensure the effective implementation of development projects. He provides policy and strategic guidance to the South African wine industry and government, focusing on sustainable socio-economic transformation. Phil’s work includes offering AgriBEE advice to wineries in areas such as ownership, enterprise and supplier development, management control, skills development, and socio-economic development.
