Episode two of Nation in Conversation’s new series in 2017 turned the spotlight on the South African wine industry as the ground-breaking agri-talkshow visits Wellington, the heart of the wine route. In line with the new look and feel of the show, the cameras soothe the eye with the breath-taking views of the Cape Winelands. The show stops by the James Sedgwick Distillery, responsible for South Africa’s premier whiskey brands, as well as the Bosman Family Vineyards and Diemersfontein.
Landbouweekblad Editor in Chief, Chris Burgess, joins show host Rozanne McKenzie in the “In Context” section of the programme and shares some remarkable statistics about the wine industry, such as “the farmer only gets 46 cents out of a R40 bottle of wine.”
“The margins are quite small in the wine industry, and indeed many wine producers are replacing vineyards with other crops. Which is why we have to start drinking more wine,” says Chris.
Chris also gives an insight into the challenges facing the wine industry’s efforts to market the brand internationally. “In SA an expensive wine is valued at about R2000 while in France it’s valued at about R250 000.”
Things get a little more serious when Rico Basson and Unathi Mantshongo from Vinpro, join Theo Vorster (Business Day TV) and Mpumelelo Mkhabela (Soweto TV) in the discussion segment to talk about representation and CSI projects in the industry. Vinpro is an organisation that represents the interests of 3300 producers and 600 cellars in areas of interest with government and other aspects of the wine industry value chain.
“The industry is in the process of a structural adaptation to try to make it more profitable. The average return on investment is 2%. So we’re looking at diversifying with other crops and placing a bigger emphasis on the tourism side of the business,” says Rico.
Rico also talks about new wine makers with new innovation ideas and the organisation’s efforts to make a bigger impact internationally especially in China, America and especially the rest of Africa.
Don’t miss Nation in Conversation, broadcasting in English on Business Day TV and Soweto TV.
If you missed this episode, you can view it here:
Business Day TV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_nZUFGD3CU&t=2s
Soweto TV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FO_F5MNr_o&t=2s
Proudly sponsored by Monsanto, Nedbank and Senwes, in association with AFGRI, Hinterland and NWK.
Download the Nation in Conversation App from the app store and visit the website at www.nationinconversation.co.za for full details of the broadcast schedule.