GROWERS URGED TO COMMIT TO SUPPORT OF DIVERSITY IN THE CAPE WINELANDS
Su Birch, CEO of Wines of South Africa (WOSA) is calling ahead of Cape Wine 2006 on all winegrowers and producers to sign a document committing them to "working with nature for the benefit of all". Cape Wine 2006, the biennial showcase of South African wines for the international market, has made sustainable grape growing and preservation of natural habitat central to the exhibition, which has biodiversity as its theme. The event, which takes place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from April 4 to 6, includes the world's first wine diversity conference.

WOSA TO HOST BIGGEST SA WINE EXHIBITION FOR INTERNATIONAL MARKETS
Next week the South African wine industry will host its biggest ever showcase for the international wine fraternity, with the official opening of Cape Wine 2006 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Tuesday, April 4, by Minister of Agriculture Thoko Didiza.

WOSA'S DIVERSITY CONFERENCE: CAPE WINE 2006
SA TO STAY A NICHE PLAYER MAKING WINES FOR ‘THINKING' PEOPLE
Su Birch, CEO of Wines of South Africa (WOSA), the organisation currently hosting Cape Wine 2006 for an international audience of wine buyers and media, says that the South African wine industry will always remain a niche player in the global market.

VERGELEGEN JUDGED CAPE'S TOP WINE TOURIST DESTINATION AT WORLD TOURISM EVENT
Vergelegen is South Africa's winner of the Great Wine Capitals of the World Network Best of Tourism Awards, announced this week (November 16) in Mendoza, Argentina. The highly reputed Stellenbosch estate, critically acclaimed for its wines both domestically and abroad, is one of eight global winners, rubbing shoulders with some of the most celebrated names in wine. Co-winners include Australia's Domaine Chandon, renowned producer of luxury sparkling wines in the Yarra Valley; Château Giscours, the historical Margaux third-classified growth of Bordeaux, that dates back to the 14th century and whose wines were said to appeal to King Louis XIV of France, and Ferreira, Caves do Vinho do Porto. Ferreira is one of the most famous names in port.

INDUSTRY BODIES BACK LOCAL PARTICIPATION IN PRESTIGIOUS INTERNATIONAL WINE TOURISM COMPETITION
The Cape's wine tourism, identified for major growth and already a significant contributor to regional GDP, will enter the spotlight as producers prepare for the Great Wine Capitals Global Network Best Of Awards that cover a range of wine tourism categories.

THE CAPE'S BEST OF WINE TOURISM WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Stellenbosch and the Helderberg have proved the front-runners in the 2006 Great Wine Capitals Global Network Best of Wine Tourism competition, with each winning three of the six categories in this year's event.

WOSA HOSTS GENERIC SA SHOW IN OCTOBER
Wines of South Africa (WOSA) is to stage a generic exhibition of South African wines in the Nursery Pavilion at Lord's in London on Monday 9 and Tuesday 10 October, where wines will be shown by importers.

"DON'T THROW AWAY GAINS IN THE UK WINE MARKET", URGES LEADING WINE MARKETER
South African wine producers should not abandon the UK as an export destination, said Mike Paul, MD of Western Wines, producers of Kumala, the country's best-selling wine in Britain. Speaking in his capacity as chairman of the Wines of South Africa (WOSA) UK Importers' Committee, he said: "South Africa has gone from nowhere in the UK market to fifth position, selling 10 million cases of wine in the UK every year. Don't throw that away."

2006 A TOUGH YEAR FOR SA WINE INDUSTRY
Su Birch, CEO of Wines of South Africa (WOSA) does not believe the recent drop in export volumes signifies a reversal of a 12-year growth trend. WOSA is the industry body responsible for the promotion of the country's wine exports worldwide.