Learn More
SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
The Old Vine Pruning course
A specialised annual pruning course designed to motivate and empower vineyard teams while sharing the knowledge and skills needed to care for and prune old vines with the respect and expertise they deserve.
in collaboration with
Overview
Why this course exists
Approximately 6% of South Africa's vineyards qualify for Certified Heritage Vineyards status. Older vineyards tend to bear less fruit, making financial viability per hectare a key challenge for growers. The secret to enhanced yields lies in the skill and knowledge of those who care for and prune the vineyards.
​
The talent, skill, knowledge, and attitude of pruners can determine the longevity of the vineyard - as well as influence the yield and quality of the final wine. Knowledge, ideas, and experiences are shared between groups of pruners and generations, building an information base that continues to grow year on year.
What Pruners Gain
Course outcomes
01
Advanced pruning techniques tailored to old vines.
02
A deeper appreciation of their role within the full winemaking process and supply chain.
03
Understanding of how individual pruning decisions impact the quality of the final wine.
04
Access to a growing shared knowledge base built across cohorts of experienced pruners.
05
A peer network for ongoing knowledge exchange, ideas, and practical experiences.
I love seeing the evolution from the beginning of the season until fruition. To see the result of the handiwork. I am inspired to train and develop the vineyard workers' skills to deliver the best results.
Sheldon van Wyk
Tim Atkin SA Special Report 2022 Viticulturist of the Year
The people behind the course
Our Facilitators
Rosa Kruger
Vineyard Manager
Rosa is a vineyard manager for different cellars around the country - and a Certified Heritage Vineyards champion.
With over 20 years' experience, she travels widely to learn from some of the world's most interesting vineyards about what needs to happen in the vineyard to make a truly great wine.
Sheldon van Wyk
Viticulturist
Sheldon has worked with some of South Africa's top producers - Mullineux, Leeu Family Wines, Boekenhoutskloof, Rupert & Rothschild, Chamonix and more. He specialises in planting, training, and expert pruning of new and heritage vineyards, and was recognised as Tim Atkin's SA Special Report 2022 Viticulturist of the Year.
Abraham Montley
Vineyard Supervisor
Born in 1971 on Bellingham farm in Franschhoek, Abraham first held a pruning shear - the FELCO 4 - in 1993. At Dagbreek farm he learnt to prune a bush vine older than himself. Now a vineyard supervisor and Sheldon's right-hand man, Abraham is patient and deeply passionate about teaching old vine pruning techniques to the next generation.
