In the wake of yesterday's news of a sterling performance by women in the Master of Wine exams, comes news of some great opportunities in South Africa for women in wine.
Two years ago Kathy Jordan of Jordan Wine Estate in Stellenbosch launched a wine mentoring programme aimed at women working in the wine industry, one for South Africans and the other for international candidates. This highly successful initiative (Laura Atkinson of Berry Bros, left, and Regine Lee of WSET are seen above, midway through their stint experiencing the 2014 vintage) has now grown into the PIWOSA Women in Wine Initiative to include all members of that organisation of premium independent wineries of South Africa so that more women can be given opportunities.
Laura Atkinson gives us an enthusiastic insight into her recent experience:
'This is an incredible opportunity which makes the somewhat closed-door world of winemaking more accessible and provides a chance for hands-on learning like no other. I now have an increased admiration for what is in every glass, alongside an ever increasing appreciation for the enormous efforts involved in making this boozy grape juice we all love.
'It is hard to verbalise the sense of achievement you feel to actually see an end product after all your hard work. This was an experience of wondrous proportions; to learn from experts in their craft and physically make wine, rather than just simply talking about it. I am so grateful for this experience and would strongly recommend the internship to anyone (who isn’t afraid of hard work) with a thirst for learning.'
Applications for the international part of the initiative are now open to women either currently studying towards a wine qualification or already working in the wine industry outside of South Africa. What is on offer is the chance to experience a vintage at one of the PIWOSA members' estates.
What is specifically offered:
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to be part of the winemaking team at one of the PIWOSA member wineries to actively experience and participate in a vintage including all aspects of the winemaking process from grape harvesting to all red and white wine cellar work that occurs during the harvest period.
The successful candidate will receive:
Full board and lodging at the winery during the roughly six-week internship.
The opportunity to visit some of the other wine growing areas of the Western Cape.
The opportunity to experience the beauty of the Western Cape and some of the renowned tourist attractions that the Cape has to offer.
Application requirements are:
Proof of wine qualification: an internationally recognized winemaking degree/diploma or a minimum of WSET Diploma (candidates who are near completion of their Diploma will also be considered).
Valid travel documents, correct visa and international medical insurance cover.
The candidate must be available to travel to South Africa at the end of January 2015 for between four and six weeks for the 2015 vintage.
To apply: email a short qualifying letter and a brief CV to Elizma Myburgh on elizma@piwosa.com. Any further queries may also be directed to Elizma Myburgh on elizma@piwosa.com.
Applications close on 30 September 2014.
In parallel with this, opportunities for disadvantaged South African women are being offered in the wine and hospitality fields in South Africa.