The South African wine industry is preparing for a key highlight on the industry calendar, the Vinpro Nedbank Producer Day 2026, which will take place on 22 January at ATKV Goudini Spa in Rawsonville. Under the theme “Grow Smarter: Harnessing Technology for the Wine Producer”, the event aims to equip producers with practical digital tools to support a more sustainable and competitive future in a rapidly evolving industry.
A highlight of the programme is international keynote speaker Dr Luca Brillante from California State University, Fresno, holder of the Bronco Wine Co. Chair in Viticulture. A global leader in precision and digital viticulture, Dr Brillante will provide an overview of the Californian winegrape industry, focus on the most pressing challenges facing producers, and demonstrate how technology – from virus detection to smarter irrigation – is already being applied practically at farm level. He will also share case studies from his research and draw parallels between California and South Africa’s winegrowing landscapes.
Another key speaker is Dr Jan C. Greyling, agricultural economist and senior lecturer at Stellenbosch University. As head of the Stellenbosch AgroInformatics Initiative, Dr Greyling will discuss how emerging global policy developments – including the European Union’s Green Deal and Farm to Fork strategy – are increasingly shaping carbon footprints, calculation tools and carbon credits at farm level. His presentation will provide producers with much-needed clarity on what these developments mean in practice within a fast-changing regulatory environment.
Focus on practical insights for the 2026 season
Practical, applicable insights remain a central focus of the Producer Day. Dr Etienne Terblanche, head of Vinpro’s Consultation Services Department, will present an overview of the 2026 growing season, with emphasis on key conditions during critical growth stages. As the first grapes begin to enter the wineries, he will share preliminary insights into the expected crop, based on feedback from producers and consultants across South Africa’s winegrowing regions.
On-farm technology will be further discussed by Martin Jansen, Head of IT at ZZ2, who will share how the company’s digital transformation since 2018 has improved production efficiency through strengthened infrastructure, data flows and practical technological tools. He will also address how South Africa can remain competitive in a global agri-tech environment, showcasing real-world examples of networks, security systems, sensors and artificial intelligence already driving innovation at farm level.
The Vinpro Nedbank Producer Day 2026 is presented in partnership with Nedbank, with the support of a range of industry partners.