Three new graduates take the tally of Cape Wine Masters to 116

From left to right: Natalie van Rooyen, Linda Birch, Liezl Richards

Three new Cape Wine Masters were presented with their CWM diplomas at the annual awards luncheon of the Cape Wine Academy (CWA) and the Institute of Cape Wine Masters (ICWM) held at the KWV Cathedral Cellar in Paarl on 16 August. This takes the number to attain this elite self-study qualification since inception in 1979 to 116.

The three new Cape Wine Masters are Linda Birch who is a qualified conveyancing attorney consulting for Bellingham Muller Hanekom Attorneys since 2021; Liezl Richards, national sales manager and export manager of Gabrielskloof since 2019; and Natalie van Rooyen, production manager and winemaker at Coastal Wine Export in Paarl since 2016.

Linda Birch’s dissertation examines The Evolution of Colombar in South Africa.

Liezl Richards’s dissertation covers Unveiling the Grapevine: Exploring Growth Opportunities for the South African Wine Industry in Scandinavia.

Natalie Van Rooyen’s dissertation focuses on Tannins and their Role in Wine.

These highly topical dissertations are available in full on the website of the Institute of Cape Wine Masters www.icwm.co.za.   

The welcome address at the KWV Cathedral Cellar in Paarl was delivered by John Loomes, CEO of KWV and sponsor of the splendid occasion.  James Ochse, winemaker for Roodeberg led a special wine tasting of this iconic Cape red blend to mark its 75^th anniversary.

From left to right: Heidi Duminy (Principal – Cape Wine Academy), Liezl Richards, Linda Birch, Natalie van Rooyen, Mark Philp (Chairperson – Institute of Cape Wine Masters)