Background
KZN Winegrowers' Association is a non-profit association representing
all wineries, vineyards, and industry-related businesses within the
province of KZN.
For the time being the association will be governed
with a Constitution and will have elected members as follows:
-
President
-
Vice President
-
Secretary
-
Treasurer
Mission
KZNWA aims to represent, promote and
research the national and international interests of the KZN wine
industry in addition to ensuring transformation and empowerment within
the industry in the province.
The association’s work to enhance and promote local viticulture goes
hand in hand with its strong advocacy of sustainable farming and
responsible environmental stewardship in addition to empowerment and
enhancing human skills. This approach gives KZNWA the opportunity to
work in partnership with governmental, environmental and community
entities on issues that specifically include the protection of our
natural resources and local wine growers' rights to farm. Our outreach
efforts also serve to educate the public about the economic and cultural
benefits of the KZN wine industry, as well highlighting opportunities
for other small industries that can develop around a wine industry.
Our primary purpose is to advance the wine-and-grape-growing industry of
the province through development and education. KZNWA raises money to
fund viticulture research and hosts technical winemaking and grape
growing seminars. KZNWA encourages an open dialogue between the
wine-grape community and the local-government representatives, special
interest groups and the general public to promote an accurate
understanding of industry issues.
KZNWA will initiate a wine-and-viticulture academy aimed at drawing from
local communities and providing official, sustainable training in the
fields of viticulture and winemaking by means of focused training.
Certificates will be issued. The trainees will then be qualified for
employment in the industry and have a bankable qualification on
completion of the course.
The form of the academy will be the planting of vines and winemaking.
The wines may be sold as a community project in an effort to fund the
academy. KZNWA and The Stables Wine Estate will facilitate the
initiation of this project with partners to be identified.
KZNWA works to promote open dialogue between the wine-grape community,
local government representatives, environmental groups and the public.
We will bring these groups together to discuss important issues such as
sustainable farming, enforcing the IPW act as well as pesticide use in
vineyards.
One of
the primary aims of the association is to investigate best-practice
techniques within the industry and improve the adoption of this best
practice that is suitable for the KZN climate and terroir; in addition
to highlighting best cultivars for planting. It is problematic if the
industry grows within the province in a sporadic manner. KZNWA needs to
facilitate a way forward that is sustainable and concise, possibly
developing the region in a specific direction and becoming ‘known’ for a
particular style of wine.
KZNWA activities include:
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Land use planning and advice
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Task force as necessary
-
Ongoing dialogue with interested parties
-
Marketing a wine route in the province
-
Collective procurement
-
Development of best-practise
methodology and sharing ideas
-
Development of a Winegrowers’ Legal Guide (for anyone looking at
establishing a vineyard)
Development of a Vineyard Establishment Guide (for anyone interested in
establishing a sustainable vineyard)
Benefits of Membership:
General
information
The association will be funded by levies collected from members as well
as from activities such as wine-and-food festivals and sponsorships. To
date the costs are being borne by The Stables Wine Estate.
As a new organisation, KZNWA will seek to build on the past achievements
of the domestic and international wine industries, specifically regions
with climates similar to KZN. The strategic direction of KZN
Winegrowers’ Association will be decided in coming months. It is likely
there will be high degree of continuity with the existing activities of
the Cape, but there is the likelihood of new initiatives to further
represent, promote and research the interests of the KZN grape-and-wine
industry.
Latest news:
Promoting Champagne
Plantings in KZN
Constitution
details
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Contact us:
Judy van Niekerk
judy@stableswine.co.za
033-2666 781
