Watch a short video on the Protégé Programme
Billy Hofmeyr Agri Seta Bursary
In addition to the internships, the Protégé Programme also offers Billy Hofmeyr AGRI Seta bursaries to final year Viticulture and Oenology students at Stellenbosch University and Elsenburg Agricultural College.
The aim of offering these bursaries is to identify potential Protégés at an early stage and to assist with the cost of their final year of education.
Students awarded the Protégé Programme Bursaries are obliged to make themselves available for the Protégé Programme selection once graduated. Should they be successfully selected for the Protégé Programme, they must join the Protégé Programme for a period of three years where they will and work at Guild members’ cellars and undergo mentoring and coaching.
Students wishing to apply for the bursaries are selected at a panel interview and only those with outstanding marks and an excellent aptitude for winemaking are chosen.
The Protégé Programme Facilitator will mentor, support, advise and guide the students through their final year of studies and assist them with the Protégé Programme interview process.
Those wanting to apply to become a CWG Protégé or apply for a final year bursary, should contact Protégé Programme Facilitator, Magda Vorster, on protege@capewinemakersguild.com.
Objectives of the Protégé Programme
- To identify young winemakers and viticulturists with potential for excellence through a detailed selection process.
- To inspire young winemakers and viticulturists to excellence through involvement with Guild functions and other industry events.
- To offer an opportunity to young winemakers and viticulturists to learn and acquire skills through working for, working alongside and being mentored by Guild members.
- To encourage young winemakers and viticulturists to reach their full potential through participating in a personal coaching programme.
- To expose the young winemakers to a wide range of wineries, wine types, roles in the winery and skills for a winemaker through a paid internship over three years.
- To expose the young viticulturists to a wide range of wineries, vineyard, soil and terroir types, roles in the vineyards through a paid internship over two and a half years.
Selection Criteria
- Must be enrolled for a BSc. or B. Viticulture & Oenology
- Must intend to become a winemaker or viticulturist
- Must be obtaining an academic aggregate of 60%
- Must be in third year or fourth year of studies
- Must have no employment contracts or obligations post graduation
- Must have an aptitude for winemaking or viticulture
Selection Process
- Fill in an application form
- Submit recommendations from academic lecturers & supervisors
- Sit for a psychometric evaluation
- Panel interview
- Possible Appointment
Programme Content
During the internship, programme participants receive:
- Job security for 3 years for the Oenology Protégé Programme or 2 ½ years for Viticulture Protégé Programme
- Mentoring from the best winemakers
- Coaching and life skills mentorship
- Attendance of selected Cape Winemakers Guild functions
- Industry networking opportunities
- The opportunity to make their own wine (Oenology Protégés)
- A certificate of completion at the end of the Programme
Duration
The programme comprises of a 3 year paid internship for the Oenology Protégé Programme and 2 ½ years for the Viticulture Protégé Programme. The first year in the programme is probationary and should the intern not meet the requirements after this initial year, he or she will be released from the programme.
Placement
Each internship placement is of a 1 year duration. All placements are with Guild winemakers.
Graduation
At the end of the Programme, the intern is free to find employment in the industry
Internship will only begin on successful graduation with a degree or diploma in Viticulture and Oenology.
