WoSA USA is looking for three participants to join this immersive experience
New York, NY, April 13, 2023 – Wines of South Africa (WoSA) USA, the industry association which promotes the exports of South African wine, is excited to announce the 2023 WoSA Sommelier Symposium and is accepting applications to participate in the events in South Africa this September.
The Symposium is designed to bring together sommeliers from North America, Europe, and Asia for a week through the Western Cape from Sunday, September 10th through Sunday, September 17th. Participants will visit the major wine regions of South Africa, with time spent on guided tastings, winery visits, and vineyard tours. Some of the events and activities include:
- A masterclass and tasting with the Stellenbosch Cabernet Collective
- Vineyard visits in the Swartland with Adi Badenhorst, the Mullineuxs, and other local producers
- A Cap Classique masterclass with “Mr. Bubbles”, Pieter Ferreira of Graham Beck
- A trip down the coast to Hemel-en-Aarde to explore the cool climate of South Africa with time for whale watching
- A seafood dinner with the Cape Agulhas Triangle producers
- Time to explore Cape Town’s dining and drinking scene
“We’re thrilled to have three representatives from the United States join the Symposium and learn more about South Africa and its wines,” says WoSA USA Country Manager, Jim Clarke. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to socialize with other attendees, South African winemakers, and South African sommeliers while also learning about this complex and evolving wine region.”
WoSA USA is looking for qualified individuals who currently work in a restaurant as either a sommelier and/or wine director or in wine retail in a buying capacity to represent the US in the Symposium. One participant will be fully funded, with WoSA covering economy class airfare, accommodation, meals, local transport within South Africa, and itinerary activities. The two additional representatives will have the on-the-ground expenses, including accommodation, meals, local transport, and itinerary activities, covered by WoSA but will be required to cover their own airfare.
Who’s eligible to participate: US-based sommeliers or wine directors that are currently working in a restaurant or in wine retail in a buying capacity, to enter. Anyone who has taken a WoSA-sponsored trip to South Africa in the past ten years (since January 1, 2013) is not eligible.
How to Apply:
- The entry form can be found here: https://forms.gle/
2Z2axfJj1LEXQPzn6 - Before May 8th, 2023, post three bottle shots of South African wines on Twitter or Instagram, tagging @WoSA_USA and using the #CapeSomm hashtag.
- On May 8th, WoSA USA will host a virtual seminar on South African wine, covering the country’s history, terroir, major regions, and major grape varieties. A link will be provided, as will a recording for those who are unable to sign on live.
- On May 9th, WoSA will provide a link to an online quiz and the topic for a short, 300-word essay. Participants have until 6 AM EST Monday, May 15th to complete the quiz and submit the essay.
The results will be announced on May 18th, 2023. Should the winner or runners-up opt not to take the trip, WoSA USA will extend the offer to other entrants based on the exam/essay results.
If you have questions about the application process or the WoSA Sommelier Symposium in general, please feel free to reach out to WoSA USA Country Manager Jim Clarke at jim@wosa.us.
About Wines of South Africa
Wines of South Africa (WOSA) is the organization representing all South African producers of wine who export their products. WOSA, which was established in its current form in 1999, has over 500 exporters on its database, comprising all the major South African wine exporters. It is constituted as a not-for-profit company and is totally independent of any producer, wholesaling company or government department but is recognized by the South African Export Council. WOSA’s mandate is to promote the export of all South African wines in key international markets including the United States.
