The title of Cape Wine Master is one of the most sought after formal qualifications in the South African wine industry. The qualification was first instituted in 1983, and over the last 33 years 93 candidates (48 men and 45 women) have qualified to become Cape Wine Masters, and a further 3 were awarded the title of Honorary Cape Wine Masters. The Institute of Cape Wine Masters (ICWM) is an active group of knowledgeable people who are formally qualified, objective, passionate and informed on local and international wine matters. The Institute runs tastings and other wine events. It provides membership services to members of the ICWM world-wide, along with information and access to specialist advice for the wine industry in general.
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ICWM mission
The ICWM pursues the goal of excellence in the wine industry and aims to promote:
ICWM culture
ICWM executive committee
The Institute of Cape Wine Masters is managed by a six-member Executive Committee. The 2016 – 2017 committee consists of the following members:
History
The first 3 Cape Wine Masters (FC "Duimpie" Bayly, Bennie Howard and the late Tony Mossop) wrote and passed their examinations in 1983, but were only awarded their diplomas on the 19th of July 1984! The ceremony took place at a cocktail function, held in the office of Godfrey de Bruyn, the Chairman of the Cape Wine and Spirit Education Trust, which was formed by the wine industry to coordinate the training and education of industry related people, and also to confer the CWM diplomas. Not more than 20 people were present at the office in Dorp Street in Stellenbosch, to witness the handing over of the diplomas to the 3 new graduates! The title of Honorary Cape Wine Master was awarded to Dave Hughes, Phyllis Hands and Colin Frith. They were given Honorary status due to the fact that they were the examiners during the first 12 years of the CWM programme and could never write the exams themselves, and for doing the ground breaking and outstanding work to start the CWM programme. Dave Hughes was head of Consumer Relations at SFW at the time and was overall responsible for the CWA and had a wealth of wine experience. Phyllis Hands was Principal of the Cape Wine Academy from its inception in 1979 and well known for her wine knowledge and training wine people. Colin Frith was appointed as wine buyer at SFW in 1982, and brought with him a huge amount of knowledge regarding international wines with his vast background of wine in the UK retail trade. In 2003 the Cape Wine and Spirit Education Trust granted the Cape Wine Academy the right to award the Cape Wine Master qualification and confer the Cape Wine Master’s title, in collaboration with the Institute of Cape Wine Masters. Founded in 1979, the Cape Wine Academy is recognised as the official wine education and training institution in South Africa.
CWM study programme
Course overview:
The Cape Wine Academy provides a range of social and professional wine courses for individuals and tertiary institutions and specialises in creating bespoke wine-tasting events for corporate clients. The starting point to learning about wine is the South African Wine Course. On completion of an exam, students can join the Certificate Wine Course, followed by the 2-year Diploma Wine Course, and ultimately the Cape Wine Master programme, the highest qualification in wine education in South Africa. The Cape Wine Master qualification is a self-study course, and there are no formal lectures or tastings. Most candidates form or join study support groups. Candidates are provided with a mentor who will provide guidance and support. Students must successfully complete the following programme elements to achieve the Cape Wine Master qualification:
In the first year of registration, it is compulsory to sit all four tasting exams AND one theory exam.
Cost: on application
Course requirements:
Once candidates have successfully completed the 4-module Diploma Wine Course at the Cape Wine Academy, with an average pass mark of 60%, they can apply to study toward the qualification of Cape Wine Master. Passion for wine is an imperative for the journey toward becoming a Cape Wine Master. There is no requirement that candidates should be involved directly in the wine industry or wine education. It is likely that people who are this committed to the enjoyment and knowledge of wine will be involved in lecturing at the Cape Wine Academy or hosting wine tastings in their community.
Course duration:
Candidates have a total of 5 years from the date of registration to complete the various components of the qualification. However, a (small) number of our members have completed the course in less than 2 years. If candidates complete the 4-module Diploma Wine Course in June, they could register to write CWM exams in October of the same year.
Members
Since the programme’s inception in 1983, a total number of 91 members have qualified to obtain the title of Cape Wine Master. A further three (Colin Frith, Phyllis Hands and Dave Hughes) were awarded honorary membership, which brings the total number of graduates to 94. Over the years, and for various reasons, eleven members have since resigned from the institute, and four others have died. Therefore, current and active membership consists of 80 Cape Wine Masters.
Membership list according to year of qualification:
In memoriam
Dissertations
As part of the course requirements, all candidates are required to write a dissertation on a topic that has been approved by the examining committee. Copies of all Cape Wine Master dissertations are held in the SAWIS library in Paarl. A full list of each members' dissertations can be viewed and (some of them) downloaded from the website of the ICWM
Wine Personality of the Year
Since 1993, the Institute of Cape Wine Masters has presented its annual Wine Personality of the Year award at the black-tie dinner following its AGM in May. This prestigious award is dedicated to those people in the South African wine industry that have excelled above others in education, marketing, winemaking or spreading the message about wine in various ways. Please click here to view the list of past winners.