Cape cheers new Wine Masters

13 May 2008

Two new graduates were awarded certificates as Cape Wine Masters on 9 May 2008, bringing the number of successful examinations to 67, and the members of the Institute to 62, including three honorary members.

Marilyn Cooper, CEO of the Cape Wine Academy, Hennie Loubser, new CWM, Dr Winifred Bowman, new CWM and Margaret Fry chairperson Institute of Cape Wine Masters.

The new graduates are Dr Winifred Bowman and Hennie Loubser.

Dr Bowman, a qualified physiotherapist, biomedical scientist who attained a PhD in Education (Didactics), is an industry consultant and part-time lecturer at Stellenbosch University in Occupational Health (Ergonomics) and Quality Improvement Management. Bowman's dissertation was "An Accreditation Programme for a South African Wine Education Institute". She also won the Van Ryn Brandy Award for achieving distinction in the brandy theory and tasting examinations.

Loubser, a financial fundi working for a financial services group in Johannesburg, has a Higher Certificate in Agriculture (with distinction) and a Diploma in Cellar Technology (with distinction) from Elsenburg College of Agriculture and a B.Compt from UNISA. Loubser's main wine interest is to visit his winemaker friends in the Western Cape as often as possible to discuss production practices that contribute to the production of top quality wines in South Africa. His topic was "Chenin Blanc table wines in South Africa".

Both dissertations are available for perusal on the Cape Wine Academy website and at the SAWIS library.

In 2003 the Cape Wine and Spirit Education Trust granted the Cape Wine Academy (which was started in 1979) the right to award the Cape Wine Master (CWM) qualification and confer the Cape Wine Master's title, in collaboration with the Institute of Cape Wine Masters. The qualification was first instituted in 1984.

This year's graduation function was hosted by Neethlingshof Wine Estate.