Known as the Thuthukile Skweyiya Western Cape Burgundy Wine Exchange programme, named after the former South African ambassador to France, it has provided vocational training and social upliftment to workers with no formal qualifications, since 2001.
The learnership involves classes at the Vineyard Academy, followed by formal classes at the Centre de Formation Professionelle et de Promotion Agricole (CFPPA) in Beaune. Once the formal part of the learnership is completed, learners assist with the harvest on various farms in France over a five-week period.
Moira van der Merwe, from the Bilton tasting room, was selected for the second time in 2010 for this exchange programme. "Knowledge is something no-one can take from you. So, though I was very nervous on my first trip, I realised that I can only benefit from what I learn and hopefully inspire others to enter the programme." Her only regret is that so few women enter the exchange programme.
