Education Details

CWA Courses:

The Institute of Cape Wine Masters does not run courses. Wine courses are available at the Cape Wine Academy.

The Introduction to South African Wine is available as a course over three weeks (one two-hour evening session per week, usually on a Wednesday). Alternately, it is possible to attend the 1-day course, which is usually presented on a Saturday.

If you intend to carry on with the exploration of wines, it is necessary to complete the examination.The costs and dates for the Johannesburg courses are available on www.capewineacademy.co.za or by speaking to Busi Yende at the Johannesburg branch of the Academy at 011-7834585.
The successful completion of the introductory course, and a desire for deeper information may lead you to enrol for the Certificate Course, which provides more depth to the material covered in the Introductory course. The Certificate course is run in 7 sessions, over a period of four months and culminates with an exam, which is a prerequisite only if you intend to continue with formal wine studies.

The journey in wine takes a fun twist if you chose to attend the Wines of the World which gives an interesting overview of international wine styles and compares them to appropriate South African examples.

The culmination of tutored wine courses comes with the Diploma in Wine Studies, which is presented in a modular form, and can be completed over two years. This is a more demanding course of study and requires self study as well the completion of assignments, and covers the wine areas of the world - Europe, North and South America, Australia and New Zealand.
Each module of study requires a pass in a three hour theory examination. On completion of the four theory examinations, a practical (tasting) examination of internatioanl wines is held.
While a pass is awarded for achieving 55% in the examinations, it is necessary to gain a pass mark of at least 60% in order to be eligible to apply for the Cape Wine Master Programme.

The Cape Wine Master qualification is a self-study course, and there are no formal lectures or tastings. Most candidates form / join study support groups in their studies. Candidates are provided with a CWM mentor, who will provide guidance and support.

Duration

Candidates have a total of five years from the date of registration to complete the various components of the qualification. These include four tasting exams of international and South African wines (natural wines, sparkling wines, desert and fortified wines, brandy), four theory exams (viticulture, viniculture, distilled and other products, general knowledge). (In the first year of registration, it is compulsory to sit all four tasting exams and one theory exam). Candidates then prepare a thesis on a topic which is approved by the examining committee, and are required to make a formal tasting presentation to an examining panel. The maximum period allowed for completion of the qualification is 5 years. However, a number of Cape Wine Masters have completed the course in under 2 years.