VinPro contributes R5-million to wine institute

VinPro presents R5-million to the Institute for Viticulture and Oenology: Rico Basson (VinPro executive director), Prof Marius Lambrechts (chairman, IVO board), Abrie Botha (VinPro chairman) and Prof Maret du Toit (chairperson, Department of Viticulture and Oenology, US).

"VinPro's financial commitment emphasises our support of the IVO's vision to substantially improve research, training and technology development and transfer in the wine industry, inter alia by expanding capacity at the US," said Abrie Botha, chairman of VinPro - the representative organisation for South African wine producers and cellars - during an informal cheque presentation function in Paarl.

VinPro's commitment involves an annual contribution of R1-million over the next five years, of which a designated amount will go towards the establishment of the institute. Focus areas will include the co-sponsoring of key lecturing positions in specific fields; bursaries for masters and doctors degrees; as well as commissioning personnel from the US to assist VinPro in practical technology transfer.

The institute was initiated two years ago and is a collaboration between, inter alia, the US, the wine industry organisations VinPro and Winetech, as well as private donors.

Prof Marius Lambrechts, chairman of the institute's board, thanked VinPro and the wine industry for their financial contribution and continued support of the initiative. "The fact that VinPro was actively involved and committed from the start, motivated other role players to become involved as well," he said at the function.