MEERENDAL WINE ACADEMY
Course 1: 13 February – 24 February 2017
Course 2: 27 February – 10 March 2017
Contents
Meerendal Wine Academy .................................................................................................................. 2
Program Overview ............................................................................................................................... 2
Dates & Prices.................................................................................................................................. 3
Program Details ................................................................................................................................... 4
Wine Academy Certificate ............................................................................................................... 4
Daily Tasks ....................................................................................................................................... 4
Vineyards ..................................................................................................................................... 4
Cellar............................................................................................................................................ 5
Lectures ....................................................................................................................................... 5
The Team ............................................................................................................................................. 7
Free Time ............................................................................................................................................. 8
Excursions included in the Program ................................................................................................ 8
Important information ........................................................................................................................ 9
Included ........................................................................................................................................... 9
Not included .................................................................................................................................... 9
Application Form ............................................................................................................................... 10
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Meerendal Wine Academy
Meerendal Wine Academy (www.meerendal.co.za/wine-academy) offers volunteers the opportunity
to experience all aspects of wine making from the vineyard to the cellar, official wine tasting courses
and working on a top class wine estate.
Only 20 minutes from Cape Town, it is the perfect location to learn about wine, live on a historic wine
estate and enjoy excursions to Table Mountain and visit the white sandy beaches of Cape Town.
Program Overview
Enjoy the annual harvest with Cellar Master Liza Goodwin and Cape Wine Master Bennie Howard and
share their passion on a journey through the romantic world of wine, make your own wine and
receive your personal bottle one year later.
Practical concepts in the wine production process include early morning picking of grapes in the
vineyards and transporting them to the cellar. Berry selection and crushing, prepping for
fermentation, manual punch downs and daily monitoring of the fermentation process are done in
the cellar. Basic laboratory work, wine tastings and Sommelier training forms part of the practical
experience.
Wine making techniques are further enhanced with lectures in “South African Wine” and “Wines of
the World” wine tasting courses.
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Dates & Prices
The program takes two weeks. You can choose between the following options:
Course 1:
Course 2:
13.02. – 24.02.2017  1450 EUR
27.02. – 10.03.2017  1450 EUR
Please have a look at page 9 to find out what is included in this price. Should you wish to stay longer,
please contact [email protected]
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Program Details
Each morning during breakfast volunteers will meet to discuss the day’s responsibilities and
activities. From here participants will be split into groups, each having different daily tasks in either
the vineyard or cellar. After lunch at Carlucci’s Deli, volunteers will attend wine tasting lectures
presented by Meerendal Cape Wine Master Bennie Howard. Daily progress updates and debriefings
commence during dinner. Evenings normally offer volunteers time to relax.
Wine Academy Certificate
On successful completion of the course, volunteers will be rewarded with the
Cape Wine Academy Certificates and Meerendal Wine Academy Certificate.
The Cape Wine Academy (www.capewineacademy.co.za) is recognised as the
official wine education and training institution in South Africa.
Daily Tasks
Vineyards
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Sterilization of picking shears and picking baskets
Sampling of sugar levels in the vineyards to pick at optimum ripeness
Picking and transporting of grapes to the Cellar
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Cellar
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Early morning prepping of the cellar
Receiving grapes from Vineyards
Berry selection of red grapes
Mechanical crushing of berries and prepping of crushed berries for the fermentation
process
Adding of yeast to start the fermentation process
Manual Punch down of grapes in open fermenters
Daily monitoring of fermentation process, including checking temperature and sugar
levels
Pressing after fermentation is finished
Assist with transferring wine between tanks and barrels
Top up of barrels
Daily sanitization of tanks and cellar equipment
Basic Laboratory work including sugar, pH, acidity and sulphur readings
Lectures
During the week, volunteers will have lectures in the afternoon, each lasting approximately three
hours.
‘The South African Wine Course’:
This Wine Course is an introduction to South African wine, wine origins and how to identify and
compare wines through taste, sight and smell. It is a fun and informative course designed to enhance
your appreciation of wine by equipping you with the basic skills in identifying and appreciating South
African wines.
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During the course of the lectures, students will learn about grape varieties, how to
taste and what to look for in a wine and the art of blending of wines. How to store and serve wine
will also be covered. The lectures will include more on how to grow vines, harvesting of quality wine
and wine making practices.
All lectures include practical wine tastings.
A theory examination of 60 minutes completes the course.
‘The Wines of the World Course’:
This course is an introduction to the major wine growing regions around the world, tasting and
comparing international and South African wines at every class.
It is like a journey through the world of wine. Starting with the classic wines of France - from
Bordeaux to Burgundy, the Loire, the Rhone, Champagne and Alsace. Following on with wines from
Germany, Italy & Spain (including Sherry) and Portugal (including Port). The course ends with the
New World Wines from California, Chile, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand. All lectures include
tastings of wines from these countries.
The exam will take 90 minutes.
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The Team
These are the faces behind Meerendal Wine Academy.
Liza Goodwin
Cellar Master & Wine Maker
You’ll be working with Liza in the vineyards and the cellar,
making the unique Meerendal wines.
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Bennie Howard
Qualified Cape Wine Master
Bennie will be presenting the "South African Wines" and
"Wines of the World" lectures.
Nicholas Coertze
Volunteer Coordinator
Nick will be your "go-to-guy" whilst you‘re at Meerendal
Wine Estate. He’ll also take you on the various excursions
during your stay
Nadine Bieri
Program Coordinator
All your questions and enquiries regarding Meerendal
Wine Academy are happily answered by Nadine. Contact
her via [email protected]
David Sibande
Wine Tasting Manager
David will take you through the world of wine tasting and
teach you how to create a unique customer experience.
Matthew Zoutendyk
Estate Manager
Your early morning vineyard experience will be under the
careful guidance of Matthew. He’ll assist with picking
grapes and transporting them to the cellar.
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Free Time
The program also offers volunteers free time. Walking, running and mountain biking trails are
available on the estate.
Excursions included in the Program
Visits to some of the most beautiful attractions and scenery Cape Town has to offer form part of the
leisure- and cultural experience. Table Mountain with its stunning views of the city and striking sunsets is
a must to see.
An excursion to one of the beautiful beaches near Cape Town and a trip to the Waterfront for shopping
rounds off the South African experience.
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Important information
Included
Course 1:
Course 2:
13.02. – 24.02.2017  1450 EUR
27.02. – 10.03.2017  1450 EUR
Incl. in Course
Pre-departure and on-site Support
Introduction and Orientation
Accommodation 1
All meals 2
‘South African Wine Course’
‘Wines of the World Course’
Airport transfer
Training and equipment
Meerendal Wine Academy Merchandise3
Excursions
Daily progress briefing
Introduction to Sommelier training in the Meerendal Wine Tasting Room and
Restaurants
Basic Laboratory Work
Cape Wine Academy Certificate
Meerendal Wine Academy Certificate
Academy graduation event
1. Accommodation:
2. Meals:
3. Wine Academy Merchandise:
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Shared rooms with 2 people per room
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at Carlucci’s Restaurant
Volunteers will be given:
- 3 working T-Shirts
- 1 Polo Shirt
- 1 Jacket
- 1 Hat/Cap
- Harvest Scissors
- Water Bottle
- Wine tap
Not included
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Flights
Medical and Travel Insurance
Visa Costs
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Application Form
Requested Info
Course 1 (13.02. – 24.02.2017) or
Course 2 (27.02. – 10.03.2017)
Do you have a Meerendal-Partner Code?
Answers
 Course 1
 Course 2
If yes, please insert Code
Volunteer Name (As shown on Passport):
Email Address:
Contact number:
Nationality:
Passport Number:
Country of Residence:
Gender / Date of Birth:
(M/F)
(DoB)
Flight Number
Time of Arrival
 YES
 NO
Flight Number
Time of Departure
 YES
 NO
Date of Arrival:
Flight Details (Arrival):
Airport Pickup required?
Date of Departure:
Flight Details (Departure):
Airport Drop-off required?
Emergency contact details:
(Name, Phone Number, Relationship)
Where did you hear about Meerendal
Wine Academy?
Would you like to share a room with a
specific person?
Extra Booking Notes / Enquiries:
Name
(Food requirements, Allergies, Questions, etc.)
Date, Signature: _______________________________
To reserve your space:
Complete, sign and return the application form by email to [email protected]
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