The Institute of Cape Wine Masters (ICWM) hosted its Annual General Meeting in Stellenbosch on 15 and 16 May, where the organisation presented its annual awards recognising contributions to the South African wine industry. The event also marked a return to the traditional May schedule after several years of August gatherings following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The awards ceremony took place at STIAS, the training facilities of Stellenbosch University (SU). Prior to the presentations, guests attended a wine tasting featuring Albert Ahrens of Ahrens Family Wines, Nongcebo Langa of Delheim Wines, and Barbara Melck of Reyneke Wines. All three winemakers are graduates of the Department of Viticulture and Oenology at Stellenbosch University and shared their approach to expressing terroir and vineyard identity through wine production.
Wine Personality of the Year
Professor Wessel du Toit, Professor in Oenology at Stellenbosch University’s Department of Viticulture and Oenology, received the Wine Personality of the Year Award.
The ICWM recognised Du Toit for his contribution to wine research, wine education, and his support of the Cape Wine Masters programme.
Born in Worcester, Du Toit enrolled at Stellenbosch University in 1996, where he completed a BSc degree followed by an honours degree in Wine Biotechnology, an MSc Agric in Oenology, and a PhD in Oenology. He was appointed lecturer in Oenology at SU in 2001 and became full Professor of Oenology in 2023.
Known as the “Wine Prof,” Du Toit teaches wine-related courses both at the university and to the broader public. His research includes wine production, sensory science, and wine chemistry. He has authored more than 93 peer-reviewed publications, including several focusing on oxygen and phenolics in wine.
The ICWM also acknowledged his ongoing mentorship and support of prospective Cape Wine Masters, particularly through the assessment of dissertations and academic guidance.
Dave Hughes Trophy
The Dave Hughes Trophy for outstanding dedication to the wine industry was awarded to Junel van der Merwe.
The trophy was instituted in 2020 in honour of the late Dave Hughes, co-founder of the Cape Wine Academy and honorary Cape Wine Master.
Van der Merwe graduated as a Cape Wine Master in 2004 with a dissertation titled “Pinotage and its role in the Cape Blend.”
She lectures across all levels of Cape Wine Academy courses and promotes South African wines internationally. Together with her husband, Alvi van der Merwe, she is co-proprietor of Alvi’s Drift Wines.
The ICWM further recognised her role as Maître of the Commanderie de Bordeaux en Afrique du Sud and her continued contribution to the Cape Wine Masters community.
Vision 2030 Programme
The AGM also highlighted the ICWM’s Vision 2030 programme, which has welcomed six candidates since 2024. The programme aims to support the development of a more diverse wine culture and industry.
International support from the Gerard Basset Foundation has enabled the ICWM to expand opportunities to both Cape Wine Academy and WSET candidates.
Founded in 1983, the Institute of Cape Wine Masters has awarded the Cape Wine Master qualification to 120 individuals to date.