Gerrit van Rensburg intronised by Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin

"Gerrit van Rensburg, Western Cape Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development was recently intronised to the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin in Burgundy, France. The Confrérie, with 11 000 members worldwide, acknowledge people for their contribution towards the promotion of food and wine in the Burgundy region of France.

Van Rensburg led a delegation from the Western Cape which showcased South African food and wine at the Dijon International and Gastronomic Fair, running from the 29th of October to the 11th of November.

Van Rensburg was praised for his work regarding the Western Cape/Burgundy Exchange programme, which was renewed for another 5 year term in 2012. The Exchange Programme annually sees between 25 and 30 farm and cellar workers from the Western Cape travelling to Burgundy for work and study experience in, amongst others, wine- and cheese making.

This is Van Rensburg’s second international accolade. He was also intronised to the Commanderie du Bordeaux in 2012, in recognition for his contribution to the South African wine industry and his work to promote South African wine in France.

Van Rensburg said good relations with our traditional trade partners are of crucial importance. "As wine producing regions, the Western Cape and Burgundy share many of the same challenges in the very competitive international wine markets. We have experienced over the past 12 years that it is better to work together for the benefit of wine and the people making a living from this industry. Ultimately both our regions need to produce quality wines in order to compete with the rest of the world".