France, here we come!
2007-08-08
THREE members of the Graham Beck Wines’ team, Johanna Johannes of Franschhoek, and Sylvia Booysen and Sanette Piedt of Robertson, have been selected to gain international experience in the management and maintenance of barrels in Beaune, France, this year in an initiative which promotes skills development in South African agriculture.
The Thuthukile Skweyiya Western Cape Agricultural Exchange Programme, under the Chairmanship of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, CIAT (Elsenburg), together with its partners, the South African Wine Industry Council and the Vineyard Academy, have collectively partnered with the Burgundy Regional Council (via the Beaune Agricultural Training Centre (CFPPA) in Burgundy, France) to facilitate the implementation of this prestigious programme.
Each year, South African farm workers are selected to receive training at the Vineyard Academy, and thereafter at the Beaune Agricultural Training Centre in Burgundy.
The objective of this exchange programme is to provide individuals from previously disadvantaged communities, who work in the wine industry in the Cape, with the opportunity to gain international experience involving the influence of wood (barrels) on wine quality.
Johanna has been employed by Graham Beck Wines since 2002. She works in the cellar on the Graham Beck Wines’ Franschhoek farm and is married to Hans Johannes, the Graham Beck Wines cellar worker who was selected to participate in the Beaune Exchange Programme in 2006.
On this "all expenses paid" trip, Sanette, Johanna and Sylvia’s itinerary includes the attendance of lectures, visits to cellars as well as rigorous practical training for a diploma. The candidates will attend preparation training sessions at the Cape Institute for Agricultural Training at Elsenburg.
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