The Stables Wine Estate Media Release

 No: Stables0801

25 Jan 2008

Durban – The fledgling wine industry in KwaZulu-Natal took another bold step forward with the formation of the KZN Winegrowers Association this week, intended to provide assistance to farmers and winemakers to advance the industry in the province.

At a meeting held in Nottingham Road, which was attended by farmers and aspirant winemakers from across the province, The Stables owner Judy Van Niekerk was elected president of the association and pledged to use the organisation to drive funding, research and practical assistance to emerging winemakers.

“It was exciting to see interested winemakers from across KwaZulu-Natal, and not just the Midlands, but as far afield as Durban,” said Van Niekerk. “That was part of our hope when we decided to register the whole of the province as a Geographical Wine of Origin Unit, thereby making it possible for anyone to enter the industry smoothly and certify wines KZN wine of origin.”

The non-profit-making body’s constitution was adopted, and office bearers elected. Van Niekerk stressed that the body would set out to enhance and promote local viticulture, hand and hand with its strong advocacy of sustainable farming and responsible environmental stewardship in addition to empowerment and enhancing human skills.

“The KZNWA will raise money to fund viticulture research and host technical winemaking and grape growing seminars,” said Van Niekerk. “The Association encourages an open dialogue between the wine grape community and the local government representatives, special interest groups and the general public to promote an accurate understanding of industry issues.”

Amongst other things the KZNWA will initiate a Wine and Viticulture Academy aimed at drawing from local communities and providing official, sustainable training in the fields of Viticulture and Winemaking by means of focused training leading to certificates. The trainees will then be qualified for employment in the industry.

“The wines that are made under the auspices of the Academy could be sold as a community project in an effort to fund the Academy,” added Van Niekerk.

The organisation is also eager to forge relationships with similar organisations in the Cape, and in particular with other regions in the world which have climates similar to that experienced in KwaZulu-Natal.

“One of the primary aims of the Association is to investigate best practice techniques within the industry and improve the adoption of this best practice that is suitable for the KZN climate and terroir,” said Van Niekerk.

“Having been through the process of registering the region as a SAWIS Wine producing region, and then registering a wine estate and then accrediting the wines that are produced on that estate puts The Stables in a strong position to share that knowledge and advice with all other keen winemakers in the province,” Van Niekerk concluded.

Planned KZNWA Activities include -
Advice on Land use planning and advice
Ongoing dialogue with interested parties
Marketing a Wine Route in the Province
Collective Procurement
Development of best practise methodology and sharing ideas
Development of a Winegrowers Legal Guide (for anyone looking at establishing a vineyard)
Development of a Vineyard Establishment Guide (for anyone interested in establishing a sustainable vineyard)

For more information please contact Judy on 033 266 6781 or by email on info@stableswine.co.za

ENDS

Gameplan Media