Each theme’s speakers will be experts that provide deeper insights into the subject at hand, alongside up to 12 wines that tie in to the theme.
A total number of 80 visitors can comfortably be seated in a classroom-style on a first come, first served basis. A total number of 6 seminars is planned with two hour-long daily sessions starting at 10h30 and 14h00.
Wednesday - 10 September 2025
Morning Seminar: Cultivating for the Future – Starting From the Roots
Time: 11h00 – 12h00
Join us for an enlightening session dedicated to the importance of roots in cultivating vines to stand the test of time. This discussion will delve into the unseen heroes of viticulture - the intricate root systems that anchor vines and influence grape quality. Experts will uncover how climate, soil attributes, vineyard design, and rootstock selection contribute to resilience and terroir expression, shaping the essence of exceptional Cape wines. Whether you're a vintner, wine enthusiast, or student of agriculture, this session offers valuable insights into fostering thriving vineyards in an uncertain future. Engage in an insightful wine tasting experience that underscores roots as the cornerstone of fine wine.
Panellists:
- Moderator: Jono le Feuvre, Wine Communicator, HanDrinksSolo
- Dr Tara Southey, Founder, TerraClim
- Heinrich Schloms, Soil scientist & GIS Specialist, Vinpro
- Emma Carkeek, Manager, Knowledge & Technology Transfer, Vinpro
- Dr Etienne Terblanche, Manager Consultation Services, Vinpro
Afternoon Seminar: Our Warmest Welcome – An Expression of Place
Embark on a sensory journey across South Africa’s diverse wine regions in this immersive tasting seminar. Four leading winemakers present wines that embody their region’s terroir, telling stories of soil, climate, and culture—from the cool slopes of Hemel-en-Aarde to the sunlit vineyards of Robertson. Moderated by a local expert, this hour-long session explores the connection between place, provenance and shaping strong regional wine and destination identities.
Time: 14h00 – 15h00
Panellists:
- Moderator: Jonathan Steyn, UCT Graduate School of Business
- Berene Sauls, Tesselaarsdal, Hemel-en-Aarde Wine Valley
- Philip Jonker, Weltevrede, Robertson Wine Valley
- Andrea Mullineux, MULLINEUX, Swartand Wine & Olive Route
- Ntsiki Biyela, Aslina Wines, Stellenbosch Wine Routes
Thursday - 11 September 2025
Morning Seminar: A Welcoming Journey Through the Versatility of Pinotage
Time: 10h30 – 11h30
This captivating seminar explores the versatility of Pinotage through a variety of expressions and voices - from classic reds to rosé and even dessert wine. The expert panel features voices from viticulture, winemaking, marketing and hospitality. With each wine matched to a specialist, discover how Pinotage has evolved over 100 years and why it continues to impress globally across styles, pairings, and markets.
Panellists:
- Moderator: Samarie Smith
- Izele van Blerk, Winemaker, KWV The Mentors
- André Franzsen, Sales and Marketing, Beyerskloof Wines
- Dirk Coetzee, Viticulturist, L’Avenir
- Luyanda Bushla, Sommelier 12 Apostles Hotel
Afternoon Seminar: Regenerative Agriculture: Panacea or Pipe Dream
Time: 14h00 – 15h00
As sustainability shifts from buzzword to baseline, the global wine trade is turning its gaze toward regenerative viticulture. But is it scalable, or simply romantic? Join this seminar to unpack definitions, debate innovations, and explore whether regenerative farming can meaningfully shape wine quality. From soil to social impact, this session, offers a provocative deep-dive into one of wine’s most pressing - and polarizing - agricultural frontiers.
Panellists:
- Moderator: Jono Le Feuvre
- Wilhelm Joubert, Viticulturist, Hartenberg Wine Estate
- Johan Reyneke, Winemaker, Reyneke Wines
- Corlea Fourie, Winemaker, Bosman Family Wines
- Rolf Pretorius, True Quest for SavoryHub SA
Friday - 12 September 2025
Morning Seminar: Historical and Heritage Estates that are still Flourishing Today
Time: 10h30 – 11h30
The South African wine industry with its tradition of winemaking since 1659 has developed from its historical roots to a vibrant and dynamic industry that is recognised internationally. This seminar will focus on the role that historical and heritage estates has played over the time and are still flourishing today.
The participants include some of the first official wine estates from September 1973 with the introduction of the Wine of Origin control system and some historical wine estates from the late 1600’s and early 1700’s that still adhere to the principle of producing wines that are made, bottled and produced on the estate. Wines from current and older vintages will be showcased during this session.
Panellists:
- Moderator: Bennie Howard CWM
- Jean Naude, CEO, Groot Constantia Wine Estate
- Bertho van der Westhuizen, Cellar Master, Alto Wine Estate
- Jean Engelbrecht, Proprietor, Rust en Vrede Wine Estate
Afternoon Seminar: New Roots Bottling Brilliance: Redefining and reimagining wine identity, and ownership
Time: 14h00 – 15h00
In a rapidly transforming wine landscape, Black-owned wine brands are not just emerging, they are defining the future. This dynamic panel brings together a new generation of emerging winemakers, brand owners, and grape producers who are breaking barriers, owning market space, and expressing their identities through innovation, entrepreneurship, and authenticity.
From boutique wines to export-ready labels, these changemakers are building globally integrated brands that honour local roots while reshaping what South African wine represents on the world stage.
Join us as we explore how this rising cohort is crafting stories, wines, and business models that are inclusive, market-savvy, and globally resonant, all without losing the soul of South African terroir. Expect fresh insights, personal journeys, and bold reflections that inspire confidence in a future where diversity drives excellence. This panel isn’t about division, it’s about vision: a vision of an industry strengthened by inclusion, fuelled by creativity, and open to local and global integration.
Panellists:
- Moderator: Matome Mbatha, Wines of South Africa, Market Manager: Africa
- Praisy Dlamini, Adama Wines
- Lesego Holzapfel, Moedi Wines
- Burton Francis, Francis Wines
- Denzel Swarts, Zoetendal Vineyards/Black Oystercatcher Cellar