Technical Yearbook 2023

Foreword On 1 July 2023, South Africa Wine commenced operations as a non-profit organisation mandated by the South African wine and brandy industry to build resilience, foster transformation, and promote agility and competitiveness. Our primary mission, in close partnership with the government and other key stakeholders, is to champion the strategic objectives of the industry. Knowledge is as vital as the grapes themselves in the world of grape and wine production. One of South Africa Wine’s key focus areas is the communication of results of locally funded and international research. Using various knowledge transfer platforms, we aim to foster greater awareness of innovative possibilities that can help the industry navigate the complexities of modern grape growing and winemaking. One of our knowledge transfer channels is WineLand Magazine. In 2023, we published 49 technical articles covering topics such as vine water stress, winery wastewater for irrigation, root health, leafroll, minerality, yeast rehydration, ultrasonic sanitation of barrels, and many more. The Technical Yearbook combines all the technical articles published in WineLand in a calendar year in one book, serving as a comprehensive repository of technical knowledge related to viticulture and oenology. By consolidating a wealth of knowledge and expertise in viticulture and oenology into a single comprehensive resource, the yearbook is a vital tool for advancing the industry’s technical capabilities and fostering innovation. This repository of articles provides invaluable insights, best practices, and research findings that empower winegrowers, winemakers, and industry professionals to enhance quality, sustainability, and competitiveness in their operations. Moreover, by documenting and disseminating this wealth of information, the technical yearbook contributes to preserving and evolving South Africa’s rich winemaking heritage, ensuring its continued relevance and excellence in the global wine landscape. I sincerely hope that the 2023 Technical Yearbook will ignite a spark of curiosity and inspiration among you and empower you with the knowledge to create a more sustainable future for South African wine.

Karien O’Kennedy Knowledge Transfer Manager South Africa Wine – Research, Development and Innovation

4

TECHNICAL YEARBOOK 2023