TWO Paarl women, students at Stellenbosch University, have been awarded the annual Indaba Scholarship from Cape Classics, the largest importer of South African wine to the US market.
The annual scholarships are open to aspirant winemakers, viticulturists and wine marketers from communities historically excluded from holding senior positions in the wine industry.
The two students to receive the scholarships in 2008 are Oursula Lewis and Erna Witbooi, both from Paarl.
Lewis is studying for a BSc degree in Viticulture and Oenology.
Witbooi is a post graduate student who is part of a research team investigating the “burnt rubber” aroma which allegedly taints certain South African red wines.
Lewis grew up in Paarl surrounded by vineyards.
Her father was a cooper working with oak barrels for Stellenbosch Farmers’ Winery and Distell for about 25 years.
“Most girls do not go for this career, because it involves work in the vineyards. But I am tough enough, because I have made barrels with my dad,” she said.
Added Molly Choi, Cape Classics’ senior vice president who is based in New York, “The wine industry is in Oursula’s blood and we are happy to support her growth and development as a young talent with such promise.
“We are also thrilled to be supporting two women pursuing careers in wine related industries.”
Witbooi, the second recipient of a scholarship, is part of a research team headed by Professor Florian Bower at Stellenbosch University. The research focuses on alleged “burnt rubber” aromas found in some South African red wines.
Witbooi is responsibility for the viticulture part of the project and Cape Classics will help to underwrite the research.
The “burnt rubber” controversy includes critical comments published by a wine writer in The Times of London in April. The highly respected Decanter magazine has also published news of the “burnt rubber” research project in its June 17 issue.
“Given that Erna’s dissertation is on a topic that plagues our industry we were keen to get involved in the study. She already has funding for her basic university tuition, so we are supporting her specific study only. It is an exciting development in the history of the Indaba Scholarship to be supporting such high level work,” Choi said.
