Amid the rapid changes and activities in the wine industry, it is important for Stellenbosch University (SU) to track these developments and be prepared to pioneer some of those activities. This is according to SU’s dean of the faculty of AgriSciences, Prof Danie Brink.
Brink was talking at the second annual South Africa Wine Summit, held at SU’s Conservatory. This year’s summit, held on 22 May, brought together experts and decision makers in the wine industry to discuss the future of South African wine. SMF News was in attendance.
Investing in AgriScience for the future
“The faculty is planning a large-scale relocation of the main campus [and] launched five new strategic imperatives that will determine future investment in infrastructure and resources,” said Brink. “[This] implies an investment of Stellenbosch University and growing just over R600 million into a new research facility.”
According to Brink, the wine industry is constantly looking amongst SU students for new attributes and abilities.
The dimensions of change include the physical environment and relocating to a new AgriSciences Complex at the Welgevallen Precinct, said Brink.
According to Brink, the new AgriSciences Complex will be 18 000m², have 26 research laboratories, a data centre, more than 120 researchers and 300 postgraduate students. The relocation is set to take place in 2028, said Brink.
Heritage and innovation
Heritage and innovation are a powerful combination that the wine industry needs to use as a foundation for success. They are not opposites but are instead twin engines.
This is according to South Africa Wine CEO, Rico Basson.
“Let’s bank on 366 years of heritage and rely on innovation. There is significant weight in our heritage [and] innovation is our bridge to the future,” said Basson.
Basson also encouraged wine industry experts and decision makers to operate as a cohesive industry and ensure that they have a clear roadmap.
South Africa Wine CEO, Rico Basson addressing the attendees of the South Africa Wine Summit. The wine industry’s ability to grow and compete on a global scale will depend on how industry experts and decision makers adapt and address challenges and opportunities of the future. This is according to South Africa Wine CEO, Rico Basson. PHOTO: Kuhle Tshabalala
Duncan Masiwa (far left), MC for the second annual South Africa Wine Summit, sitting alongside panelists Megan van der Merwe, Sarel Meyer, Marisah Nieuwoudt and Melanie Leloup. PHOTO: Kuhle Tshabalala
Lead the future
“Leading the future of South African wine requires more than responding to change – it demands that we actively shape it.” This is according to a press release released on 10 February 2025 by South Africa Wine.
The theme of the summit, ‘Lead the Future’, put focus on authentic storytelling, sustainability and smart innovation, and addressed the building of purpose-driven brands in a changing world. SMF News was in attendance.
Some top wine producing countries have been significantly affected by the US tariffs recently imposed by United States (US) President Donald Trump. On 2 April 2025 Trump announced expansive new tariffs, effective from 5 April 2025, with a baseline tariff of 10% on all imports, with South Africa imposed with a specific rate of 30%. On 9 April, a 90-day pause, effective from 10 April 2025, on implementation was announced, subjecting goods to 10%. The total tariff rate imposed on most Chinese goods is 145%. INFOGRAPHIC: Kuhle Tshabalala
Local is lekker
Attendee, Makhosazana Ngwenya said one of her key takeaways from the summit is how speakers focused on the domestic orientation of the wine industry.
Attendees of the second South Africa Wine Summit were given an opportunity to pose their questions about the wine industry to the speakers. PHOTO: Kuhle Tshabalala
“Every discussion today was focused on ensuring that the local industry is grown and ensuring that more local wine tourism is being developed,” said Ngwenya.
“They spoke of inclusive economic growth […] and [ensured] that it doesn’t alienate any group but it brings them together,” she said.
During the second annual South Africa Wine Summit in Stellenbosch on 22 May 2025, wine industry experts and decision makers came together to discuss the future of the South African wine industry. SMF News was in attendance. VIDEO: Kuhle Tshabalala