The Winetech 2021 workshops for senior cellar assistants were facilitated by qualified winemakers in the participating districts Stellenbosch, Worcester/Robertson, Wellington, Vredendal and Upington. Participation in the workshops is free, but cellar assistants must be bilingual and in possession of the Wine Training SA SKOP 3 certificate. Participating cellars received notes, attendance registers, confirmation of attendance letters (instead of certificates) and a letter confirming the financial value of the workshops. The names of the cellar assistants were placed on the industry’s LMS data base.
Senior cellar assistants had the opportunity to learn more about sparkling wines. This was a fitting topic as the first MCC sparkling wine was produced in South Africa 50 years ago. Participants learned more about the history of sparkling wines; sparkling wines of the world; various sparkling wine styles; South African sparkling wines; legal aspects, as well as the production of South African sparkling wines. During the tasting, cellar assistants compared a French sparkling wine to different South African sparkling wines.
An independent, qualified social worker, Greta Grobler, facilitated an interactive presentation at the Wellington and Worcester/Robertson workshops on how to manage stress in a responsible and positive manner. Presentations of this nature will be included in future so that senior cellar assistants are equipped with the necessary knowledge to manage pressure.
Senior cellar assistant workshop – Neethlingshof, Stellenbosch.
Sparkling wine tasting at senior cellar assistant workshop – Neethlingshof, Stellenbosch.
Elzette du Preez was reponsible for the content of the senior workshops and facilitated three workshops in the participating districts.
Senior cellar assistant workshop – Breedekloof/Robertson.
Senior cellar assistant workshop – Vredendal.
Greta Grobler, an independent registered social worker, told senior cellar assistants how to identify and manage stress at the Wellington and Breedekloof/Robertson workshop.
Senior cellar assistant workshop – Wellington.
