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Thursday, July 31, 2014
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Picnic bookings for Facebook fans coming soon. #watchthisspace
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Friday, July 18, 2014
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Where in the world are we today? We are welcoming guests from around the globe at YPO African Safari registration day! #MelroseArchHotel
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Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Leadership changes set to shake up the South African wine industry -Mike Ratcliffe
By Mike Ratcliffe
Published in Business Day
There
comes a time in the development of an endeavour that a tipping point is reached.
A fulcrum. A
defining moment that will be remembered for the change that it
brought. The South African wine industry is currently undergoing wholesale
leadership changes that may just represent that moment.
A
lack of visionary and legitimate leadership has long been a thorn in the side
of the wine industry. Despite much effort over the years, the absence of a truly
representative body that can meaningfully engage with industry & government
has been a problem. The wine industry remains isolated and receives a fraction
of the government support of even our smallest global competitors. Despite this,
the pioneering agricultural spirit of wine farming has seen the industry grow
it’s status exponentially and build the foundation of an enviable reputation on
world markets. Many would feel that national government has used the wine and
brandy industry as a whipping boy
whenever cheap political points need to be scored in the Western Cape. Resentment
has been prevalent. The situation is not healthy or conducive to growth.
It
is illogical and inconceivable that the wine and brandy industry is not
accorded appropriate respect by government. The South African wine industry is
a significant industry generating R4,13 billion in producer income and R4,55
billion in excise and VAT collections for the fiscus annually (2012). The
industries 3,440 wine farmers produced 1.493 million tons of grapes and more
than 1.15 billion gross litres of wine in 2013 with some 275,600 people
employed directly or indirectly.
Times
are changing and things may be looking up. A new crop of educated, young,
experienced and charismatic leaders seem to be simultaneously taking over leadership
of the major wine industry institutions. Wines of South Africa (WOSA) has a
double whammy with former Distel liquor marketing expert Siobhan Thompson
taking over as CEO and 2013 SA businessman of the year and former FNB CEO,
Michael Jordaan assuming the role of WOSA Chairman just this past week. WOSA Africa
wine marketing expert, dynamic Matome Mbatha takes the reigns as Chair at the
Wine & Spirit Board and Gerard Martin is the new executive manager at Winetech,
which coordinates research, training
and technology transfer. VINPRO, the industry mouthpiece representing
3,600 producers has been revitalized under the energetic and compelling
leadership of former Nedbank business banker Rico Basson.
It
doesn’t stop there. After 4 years, WESGRO, the official destination
marketing, investment and
trade promotion agency for the
Western Cape is mandated under it’s constitution to appoint a new board on May
31st 2014 which will contribute to the injection of young new talent
on the marketing scene. The appointment of new Distel CEO Richard Rushton, a
respected marketing focused former SAB appointment at South Africa’s largest
listed wine producer further embeds the theme of change in the private sector.
It is too early to predict what will
come of these extensive leadership changes. One would hope that a more intelligent
and integrated approach to marketing the wine industry will materialize. On
initial inspection, the common denominator amongst many of these new leaders is
a developed and proven propensity for sharp marketing and promotion. Informed
industry insiders have long advocated marketing as the ‘turbo boost’ needed to
really pull things together for the entire wine industry value chain.
The South African wine industry could
certainly do with a more focused approach and a greater sense of self-worth. South
African wines are regularly compared with the best in the world and this is a
story that needs to be told in a more compelling manner. Neal Martin writing in
Robert Parkers Wine Advocate in the USA referred to South Africa as the “most exciting new world wine industry on the
scene.” Influential UK journalist Tim Atkin echoed these sentiments in
pronouncing South Africa “the most
exciting new-world wine producing country on the planet”. Confidence is a trait
that has been in relatively short supply in the local wine game. Charismatic
leadership could quickly find that confidence expressed through positive and
pro-active marketing could become a powerful catalyst that can translate into
results and an improved bottom line for Brand SA.
It
is an exciting time on the South African wine scene as waves of innovation,
experimentation and self-discovery sweep through a young industry finally regaining
a sense of confidence in our own worth. Confidence is the key. Visionary
leadership could just be the catalyst that pulls it all together.
“Never doubt that a small
group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is
the only thing that ever has.”
Wednesday, July 09, 2014
Monday, July 07, 2014
Sunday, July 06, 2014
Let me tell you a little story about the #FirstLady ... .
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Saturday, July 05, 2014
Friday, July 04, 2014
Which wines to choose for the Fourth of July? http://t.co/bIFZPZLiBp
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#FlashbackFriday Wine improves with age. The older I get, the better I like it. - Anonymous
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Thursday, July 03, 2014
Purchase a case of 2011 Trilogy and receive it in a limited edition wooden box. www.warwickwine.com *while stocks last
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Tuesday, July 01, 2014
We are super proud! Our 2011 vintages received fantastic scores from Tim Atkin - Master of Wine. Trilogy 94 points Cabernet Franc 94 points White Lady 92 points
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