South Africa Wine has announced that it has been awarded a major Industry Innovation Award. The award recognises the body’s transformative work in building accessible, digital-first learning and development pathways that benefit the entire wine value chain.
According to the body, the achievement comes just two years after the formation of South Africa Wine as the umbrella organisation representing the country’s wine producers, cellars, exporters, and other stakeholders. The award highlights the organisation’s role in helping wine businesses become more agile, skilled, and sustainable in a fast-changing global market.
Rico Basson, the CEO of South Africa Wine, said the award confirms that the organisation is not just responding to industry needs, but anticipating them.
“Investing in digital learning platforms and structured career pathways means we’re helping wine businesses stay competitive and future-fit. This innovation matters because it’s not just about technology, it’s about people, growth, and inclusive development,” he said.
The Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry organises the CCCI Industry Innovation Awards to identify outstanding champions who drive economic growth, job creation, and tax revenue generation.
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Skills development in a competitive industry
With 14 award categories spanning industry sectors, public sector innovation, tertiary education impact, and industry development institutions, the awards provide a comprehensive framework for recognising innovation that directly contributes to the Western Cape’s competitiveness in globally contested markets.
South Africa Wine has completely reshaped professional development across the sector. Central to this is its free-to-use Learning Management System (LMS), which now supports more than 2 600 users, a significant leap from just under 2 000 users a year ago.
Kachné Ross, people and skills development manager at South Africa Wine, said the shift has more than doubled the number of supported learners, reaching over 675 individuals in the past year.
“It has reduced training costs dramatically by removing logistical barriers like travel and venue hire and enabled over 200 businesses to improve HR development, compliance, and leadership skills while empowering a diverse group of learners, including women, youth, and farmworkers in remote regions.
“We’re especially proud that over 40% of participants are women, and small producers now have access to world-class content without needing deep pockets or big-city access,” Ross said.
Basson said the wine industry faces global pressure to become more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient. This award positions South Africa Wine as an example of how industry bodies worldwide can lead the way through policy and action.
“This award is not just a win for South Africa Wine, it’s a win for every member who has invested in inclusive development, training, and growth. It gives wine businesses access to industry-funded learning platforms and support, helps navigate grants and compliance, national and international advocacy and a voice in shaping the future of the South African wine sector.
“Our job is to help businesses grow, and to make it easier for them to invest in their people. We are here to serve. We’re building the wine industry of tomorrow one skill, one business, one breakthrough at a time,” he said.
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