The South African wine industry is in good hands, as was evidenced at the annual Wine Harvest Commemorative Event, which honoured four outstanding individuals who are taking South African wine to inspiring new levels.

The annual event, is a strong tradition in the South African wine industry, and was hosted on South Africa’s oldest wine-producing farm, Groot Constantia in Cape Town, on Thursday.

This year’s event, held to celebrate the birth of South Africa’s wine industry 364 years ago, included the blessing of the new harvest and tributes to four individuals who have shown the way for future generations, unlocking their talents to ultimately leave a unique and proud legacy for South Africa.

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They were honoured in four categories: Visionary Leadership, Growing Inclusivity, Wine Advancement, and Viti- and Viniculture.

According to Dr Ernest Messina, Chairperson of Groot Constantia, it is heartening to witness the growth in reach and scope of this annual occasion.

“Year on year more wine people from diverse backgrounds are nominated to be recognised for their work. This is in line with our objective of honouring all who are contributing to our proud wine industry. I trust that by recognising the four 2023 honourees, others will be inspired to take the industry to even greater heights.”

THE 1659 AWARD FOR VISIONARY LEADERSHIP: KEN FORRESTER

This year the recipient of the prestigious 1659 Award for Visionary Leadership is Ken Forrester, widely known as “Mr Chenin”.

His contribution to the development and international fame of the Chenin Blanc cultivar has profoundly enhanced the reputation of South African Chenin, making him a worthy recipient of one of the highest accolades in South Africa’s wine industry.

Forrester was born in Zambia. His family moved to South Africa, where he went to school in Krugersdorp, followed by a three-year course in Hotel Management at the Johannesburg Hotel School and a career in hospitality at Southern Sun.

After this, he entered the restaurant trade, where his unfaltering commitment culminated in his election as Chairman of the Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (FEDHASA). A trip to the Cape in the early 1990s presented him with the opportunity to buy the historic Scholtzenhof Farm in Stellenbosch – his first foray into the wine industry.

It was here that his love affair with the Chenin Blanc cultivar started, and, despite setbacks and many challenges, Forrester soon put South African Chenin on the global map.

The Chenin Blanc Association of South Africa was established in 1998, with Forrester as a founding member.

Thanks to the work of the Association, South Africa has more Chenin growing than the rest of the world combined, and it is universally regarded as South Africa’s de facto national white wine.

Since its founding, the Association’s international standing has risen dramatically, through research and other projects in collaboration with international bodies and academic institutions.

GROWING INCLUSIVITY CATEGORY: RYDAL JEFTHA

The 2023 honouree in this category is Rydal Jeftha, CEO and Managing Director of the Koopmanskloof Vineyards for the past 16 years.

Jeftha has led the field for many years through his wealth of experience and true leadership. He has spearheaded important initiatives, including:

• Driving empowerment: Thandi Wines is South Africa’s first truly broad-based BEE wine company and also the biggest black-owned exporting wine company. Under Jeftha’s leadership, Thandi’s sales grew from 500 cases to 42 000 cases in just two years.
• Embracing Fairtrade: As an empowered company, Koopmanskloof is one of the world’s largest Fairtrade exporters. Jeftha has transformed it from a 100% bulk wine producer for the local market to an international bulk and packaged wine exporter.
• Emerging agriculture: Jeftha was a finalist for both Toyota Emerging Farmer of the Year and Cape Chamber of Commerce Exporter of the Year.

Jeftha has 42 years’ experience in agriculture, including 20 years in the wine industry, with stints at Lourensford, Capespan, and Vinfruco. He is a board member of Vinpro and Wines of South Africa (WoSA).

With his passion for emerging generations of farmers and winemakers, Jeftha is a mentor and inspirational leader to multitudes of young people, creating a sense of hope and future focus for those who may face barriers to enter the industry.

WINE ADVANCEMENT CATEGORY: WENDY JONKER

The 2023 honouree in this category is Wendy Jonker, appointed by the Minister of Agriculture as Administering Officer of the Liquor Products Act.

In her role as Administering Officer, Jonker represents the South African government in bilateral and multilateral discussions and negotiations as a technical wine expert in the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) and the World Wine Trade Group (WWTG).

She is a registered Professional Natural Scientist, and an author and reviewer of scientific publications as Vice-President of the OIV scientific committee.

Her achievements in creating an optimal governance environment for the wine industry include:

• Facilitating the export process: Involvement in developing an online export platform to streamline and shorten the export process.
• Enhancing international trade: Representing South Africa’s wine interest in the Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Southern African Customs Union.
• Establishing good corporate governance: Maintaining constructive relations between the South African wine industry and importing countries, and addressing non-tariff barrier issues.
• Jonker’s behind-the-scenes work has significantly contributed to opening doors for the South African wine industry internationally. Without the dedication and expertise of role players like her, the industry would find it difficult to advance consistently and sustainably.

VITI- AND VINICULTURE CATEGORY: DR ERNA BLANCQUAERT

The 2023 honouree in this category is Dr Erna Blancquaert, lecturer and researcher in viticulture.

Dr Blancquaert is a lecturer in Grapevine and Wine Sciences at Stellenbosch University, where she also acts as Postgraduate Supervisor of Master’s and PhD students in Viticulture and Oenology, Sustainable Agriculture, and Biotechnology. Dr Blancquaert was the first black South African to receive a PhD in Viticulture, in 2015. Her tireless devotion to excellence and empowerment has established her as a major force in her field.

Here are just a few of her distinctions and achievements:

• Academia: Recipient of multiple awards, ranging from the South African Wine Industry Trust scholarship in 2003 to the Fulbright African Research Scholar Award in 2018, and most recently the Taylor’s Port Golden Vines Diversity Scholarship in 2021, as one of only two recipients out of 42 entries from 23 countries, allowing her to do her Master of Wine studies.
• Industry: Serves on various scientific journal review panels, as well as member of various industry bodies, including representing the national Minister of Agriculture on the Deciduous Fruit Industry Development Trust.
• International: Mentor for the New York Academy of Sciences “1000 Girls, 1000 Futures” programme and South African leader of the international consortium VitaGlobal, which focused on sharpening university contributions to local development, which included Stellenbosch University as one of 17 partners.

Learn more about the Wine Harvest Commemorative Event, the honourees, and the South African wine industry in general by visiting www.sawineharvest.co.za.