This exchange programme was established in 2001 in partnership with the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, offering individuals the opportunity to gain international experience in viticulture and cellar technology.
"This is the first year that our protégés will be going on the exchange programme. We are working towards a more formalised agreement so that all our protégés will have the chance to participate in this opportunity to further their development and international winemaking experience," says Louis Strydom, chairman of the Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Development Trust, sponsors of the three-year internship programme.
"Our participation in the protégé programme was inspired by the need to help transform the South African wine industry by empowering talented young people from historically disadvantaged communities to enter this profession," says Kone Gugushe, divisional executive for corporate social responsibility at Nedbank.
The programme has grown in stature over the years and currently has seven participating protégés. To date, it has produced four graduates who are all forging successful career paths for themselves in the wine industry.
In conjunction with the formal learnership path of the Burgundy Exchange Programme, Botes, who is currently working under the mentorship of Guild member Gary Jordan of Jordan Wines, and Kulsen, who is working alongside Guild chairman Jeff Grier at Villiera, will also get their hands dirty on various small family-owned wine estates throughout the French wine growing region. Here they will gain valuable insight into the French food and wine culture and put their practical knowledge gained through their participation in the Cape Winemakers Guild Protégé Programme to good use.
Students interested in applying for the protégé programme can go to www.capewinemakersguild.com.
