South Africa Wine Research Projects 2026

4. TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER COMPLETED PROJECT

much of this value was not captured at the production level. Sustainable grower pricing was strongly linked to bargaining power, highlighting inequities in value distribution. Grape pricing was heavily influenced by relational dynamics, with higher prices achieved when winemakers invested directly in vineyards and maintained strong grower relationships. In some cases, confidentiality and limited pricing transparency also influenced bargaining power. Overall, the study concluded that the South African wine industry needed to deliberately pursue differentiation, improve signalling of premium subcategories, enhance value equity across the supply chain, and strengthen trust-based grower–winemaker partnerships to secure long-term competitiveness.

AVANT-GARDE • 021 863 3165 • JT905

SOUTH AFRICA WINE RESEARCH 2026

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