Thesis (MAgricAdmin (Agricultural Economics))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / The wine industry is one of the oldest commercial activities in South Africa. The South African wine grape industry annually produces more than a million tonnes of grapes, making the country the ninth largest producer in the world. The total area under wine grape production is divided into eight regions for administrative purposes. These boundaries are a legacy of the era of controlled marketing and there is continued meaningfulness of having various classifications such as ‘wine of origin’ scheme. The purpose of this study is to identify the factors that determine the producers’ choice of wine grape cultivars in the wine regions in South Africa. Time series data for the period 1990-2003 were used to estimate the parameters of linear regression models. Two equations for each wine grape cultivar in each region were postulated and estimated using Ordinary Least Squares as applied with Eviews. Further, a stepwise regression as applied in STATISTICA was used to eliminate the parameters that were not statistically significant at five percent significant level. In identifying the factors that determine the choice of wine grape cultivars in the regions, the results showed that each wine grape cultivar in each region has its own factors influencing the producers’ choice of that specific wine grape cultivar. Same wine grape cultivars in different regions similarly have its own factors determining the producers’ choice. The implication of this is that there are differences in terms of the requirements and types of crops and wine grape cultivars grown in each region. However, the most important result that emerged with regular frequency is that, the factors determining the producers’ choice of a specific wine grape cultivar for each region is price of other wine grape cultivars and competitive products in that wine region. The price of specific wine grape cultivars only had an influence on few wine grape cultivars. The implication is that the producers in South Africa appears to consider the prices of other wine grape cultivars and competitive products before making a choice of whether to plant or uproot a specific wine grape cultivar more than the price of the specific wine grape cultivar. This supports the theory that farm prices play a key role in allocating resources and in rewarding efficient producers.

Thesis (MBA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / Wine is not the alcoholic beverage of choice for the average South African. South Africa‟s wine consumption per capita is much lower than in other wine producing countries. It would be hugely beneficial to the South African wine industry if our domestic market were beter developed. This study aims to improve our understanding and knowledge of the South African wine market by exploring the purchasing behaviour and preferences of the South African wine consumer. This objective is attained by identifying whether a correlation exists between demographic variables and wine purchasing behaviour in the South African market. A literature review of international research indicated that various demographical, behavioural and other determinants significantly influence a consumer's decision to buy wine. This information was used to formulate a data collection strategy. A quota sampling strategy was used and the data was collected with the help of an online questionnaire. This study used the chi-squared test of a contingency table to determine if a relationship exists between any of the variables and the Cramer‟s V test was used to measure the strength of the association. This study produced similar results as other international studies conducted on the factors influencing wine purchasing behaviour. The male survey respondents tended to spend more on average on a bottle of wine and had on average a higher wine knowledge when compared to the female survey respondents. The older survey participants consumed more wine and tended to spend more per month on wine compared to their younger counterparts. The respondents in the higher income groups tended to spend more per month on wine and purchased wine that is more expensive when compared to their counterparts in the lower income groups. This study found significant relationships between wine knowledge and wine purchasing variables. Higher levels of wine knowledge often lead to higher wine consumption levels. Furthermore, the respondents in the higher wine expenditure groups generally possessed a higher wine knowledge compared to the respondents in the lower expenditure groups. This study found a number of significant relationships between the purchasing behaviour and the preferences of the survey respondents. The respondents in the higher consumption groups preferred red or white wine and had an adverse preference for wine in the “other” category. Furthermore, most red and sparkling wine consumers preferred a natural cork while most dry white wine consumers preferred a screwcap as closure method. The respondents displayed a possible willingness to pay more for a bottle of red wine than for a bottle of white wine. Furthermore, the respondents favoured screwcap in the lower average price category and preferred a natural cork in the higher average price categories. The survey participants tended to purchase wine at different price points and did not only buy wine in one price bracket.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This mini-study project examines the strategic position of the Douglas Wine Cellar in context with the dynamics in the wine industry. For success in the future it suggests that producers, manufactures and marketing strategies will have to focus on doing the same things differently as well as doing different things, with the emphasis on improving productivity, increasing quality focus and generating value-added products aimed at meeting market requirements. The greater focus on productivity in agriculture should include wider use of effective farming practices, more effective use of capital equipment, more effective implementation of Research & Development results, product differentiation and brand building as well as the development of distribution channels with the ability to deliver these products in a cost effective and timely manner. There is no single "Superhighway". Routes are complex and discontinuous with an ever increasing pace of change. Today we live and work in a technology rich society. Rapid advancements in all industries are occurring daily. To survive and prosper, Douglas Wine Cellar must commit to a continual processof advancement and improvement of strategies to fulfill the vision of GWKLtd. THE VISION OF GWK IS TO BE A SUSTAINABLE AGRI-BUSINESS OF EXCELLENCE / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie werkstuk is onderneem ten einde die strategiese posisie van Douglas Wynkelder in die konteks van die wynindustrie dinamika te ondersoek. Sukses in die toekoms hang daarvan af of produsente, vervaardigers en bemarkingstrategië daarop fokus om dieselfde dinge verskillend te doen sowel as om nuwe stelsels te implementeer, met die klem op produktiwiteit, verhoogde kwaliteit en die generering van waardetoegevoegde produkte wat aan die markbehoeftesvoldoen. Die groter fokus op produktiwiteit in die landbou behoort die algemene verbruik van effektiewe boerderypraktyke, effektiewe kapitaalspandering, effektiewe implementering van navorsings- & ontwikkelingsresultate, produkdifferensiasie en handelsmerk-uitbouing in te sluit, asook die ontwikkeling van distribusiekanale met die vermoë om produkte koste effektief en tydig aan die mark te lewer. Daar bestaan geen enkele "super hoofweg" nie. Roetes is kompleks en nie volhoubaar nie, met ewigdurende veranderings. Vandag lewe en werk ons in 'n tegnologies-ontwikkelde samelewing. Vinnige vooruitgang in alle industrië is aan die orde van die dag. Om te oorleef en welvaart te skep moet Douglas Wynkelder die pad betree van voortdurende vordering en verbetering van strategië, om sodoende aan die visie van GWK Bpk te voldoen. DIE VISIE VAN GWK IS OM IN VOLHOUBARE LANDBOUBESIGHEID VAN UITNEMENDHEID TE WEES

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / Almost every geographical wine producing area has a generic marketing organisation in the form of a wine route organisation or similar organisation that aspires to create a favourable perception of their area in the minds of wine consumers. In their efforts to try and escape the growing commoditising of wines, wine producers recently intensified their efforts to differentiate themselves from other offers by increasingly certifying more wine as wine from a specific geographical area, launching competitions that embrace terroir as the defining factor for quality and increasing the number of demarcated areas. It was the purpose of this study to examine whether the South African consumer assigns a high degree of relevance to the certification of origin as an influencing factor when purchasing wine. As a starting point, a literature study was conducted to establish the current state of knowledge regarding the relevance of certification of origin of wine in wine marketing. The literature review also provided the framework for designing a survey conducted among South African wine consumers. The data gathered via an online questionnaire was analysed by employing both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The analysis showed that certification of origin of wine plays a secondary role in influencing consumers when faced with a purchasing decision on its own. However, as part of the regional composite variable, which consists of variety, region and wine style, it plays a major role in influencing consumers (McCutcheon, Bruwer & Li, 2009: 229). In accordance with other studies conducted among South African wine consumers (Von Arnim, 2008: 58), the specific wine variety emerged as the most important factor influencing consumers. It was also found that consumers with a high involvement and interest in wine assign a higher degree of relevance to certification of origin of wine than consumers with a low involvement. The findings of this research report are based on respondents who mainly reside within the Western Cape and the demographic profile of respondents shows that mostly male respondents completed the online questionnaire. The findings are therefore tentative due to the geographical and demographical limitations. This research report is of value to academic researchers, wine marketing professionals and generic marketing organisations such as wine route organisations.

Thesis (MScAgric) -- Stellenbosch University, 1944. / INLEIDING: Gedurende die afgelope twee dekades, terwyl die wereld die ekonomiese terugslag van die Eerste Wereld-Oorlog in sy volle felheid beleef het, het prysbeheer in verskeie lande meer en meer op die voorgrond getree. Die feit dat na prysbeheer so gretiglik gegryp word, selfs wanneer demokratiese lande in 'n ekonomiese wurggreep worstel, wys op die feit dat prysbeheer beskou ,is as 'n noodhulpmaatreel. Hoe ernstiger die ekonomiese nood, hoe meer algemeen is prysbeheer.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 1930. / VOORWOORD: Gedurende die voltooiing van hierdie ondersoek het dit al hoe meer geblyk dat werke oor die geskiedenis van die Wingerdkultuur in Suit-Afrika maar baie skaar is: enkele artiekels het in verskillende blaaie en boeke hulle verskyning gemaak, maar sulke stukkies is blykbaar bloot bedoel gewees om in die verbeaan 'n bietjie interessante leesstof aan te bied. Van 'n grondige ondersoek vandie saak kan daar op hirdie stadium dus nog geen sprake wees nie. Nogtans is so 'n studie van belang daar die wingerdkultuur - naas die koringbou - sedert die vestiging vandie volksplanting aan die Kaap 'n geensins geringe rol in die landbou-bedrywighede gespeel nie.

Thesis (MA) -- Stellenbosch University, 1973. / See item for full text.

Thesis (DPhil (Sociology and Social Anthropology))--Stellenbosch University, 2007. / There is a general consensus amongst industry experts that in order for the South African wine industry to sustain the success it has enjoyed thus far in export markets like the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Sweden and to become even more internationally competitive, its has to improve the quality of its wine and move into higher price categories of the wine market. Skills’ training has been highlighted as a significant component of a strategy to improve the quality of South African wine and its competitiveness in world markets. The aim of this study was to find out how the South African wine industry is adapting to new vineyard practices necessary for quality production at farm level, especially as far as training of vineyard workers is concerned. Four theoretical perspectives are discussed in relation to the restructuring of the world agro-food industry, the question of quality and the issue of training as it relates the production of quality wine. These theoretical perspectives are regulation theory, global commodity chain analysis, actor-network theory and the ergonomics perspective on the skills needed for the production of quality wine. The focus of the study was on different kinds of producers, i.e. co-operative cellars, private cellars and estates. The research covered two of the main wine-producing areas, namely Paarl and the Robertson area. At each farm, interviews were conducted with the farm owner, farm manager or viticulturist as well as a number of workers. Interviews were also conducted with prominent wine makers, skills trainers and facilitators and other industry experts. This was done to gain a better understanding of the South African wine industry as well as the major issues and debates as far as quality production and skills training are concerned. The study found that although there has been a general upgrading of skills in relation to new vineyard practices for quality production, workers at the co-operatives and estates studied do not yet receive the kind of in-depth knowledge which the theory argues is necessary for the production of quality wine. The private cellars invest much more time and resources in the training of their workforce. As far as the private cellars and estates are concerned there is a correlation between the quality of wine and training. The private cellars sell more than 50% of their wine in the premium, super-premium, ultra-premium and icon categories of the international wine market. The estates sell 70% and more of their wine in the basic category. The co-operatives on the other hand do not confirm the theory. In the absence of formal training, they manage to produce wine that competes well on an inter and intra-regional level. The evidence suggests that in a country like South Africa, in the context of a legacy of low education and literacy levels amongst workers, repeated demonstration and strict supervision can compensate to a certain degree for a lack of in-depth knowledge and discretion amongst workers.

Thesis (DPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 1973 / See Item for full text / Voorwoord: Omdat daar in die Suid-Afrikaanse Geskiedskrywing 'n groot leemte aan werke oor die ekonomiese geskiedenis bestaan, ek persoonlik baie in die geskiedenis van landbou in Suid-Afrika belangstel en daar nog feitlik geen argivale navorsing oor die geskiedenis van wynbou en wynhandel na 1795 gedoen is nie, het ek besluit om 'n verdere studie van laasgenoemde onderwerp te maak tot 1860. In hierdie jaar is die vryhandelsooreenkoms tussen Brittanje en Frankryk gesluit, wat meegebring het dat die voorkeurtariewe wat Brittanje in 1813 op Kaapse wyn ingestel he+, beeindig is. Die beeindiging van die voorkeurtariewe het tot 'n ineenstorting van die Britse mark vir Kaapse wyn, en daarmee ook die totale wynuitvoerhandel van die Kaapkolonie, gelei. Hiermee het die Kaapse wynboubedryf 'n kruispad bereik. Om hierdie redes vorm die jaar 1860 'n logiese afsluitingsdatum vir hierdie proefskrif.

Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The South African wine industry has a history of super-exploitation. Wine farm labour practices such as paternalism, tied housing, tied employment and the tot system have maintained farm worker communities in a trapped and dependent position. Within these trapped farm worker communities social pathologies such as alcohol abuse, a highly unstable family life, illegitimacy and illiteracy are common. On an individual level, members of these communities are predominantly low in selfconfidence, self-esteem, self-reliance etc. On a communal level, domestic violence, child battering, drunken brawls, knife stabbings etc. are common in farm worker communities. In response to these conditions in wine farm worker communities, a number of initiatives have been launched within the South African wine industry. This research study focuses on one of these initiatives, called the New Beginnings project. As one of the first projects of its kind, it succeeded in releasing a farm worker community from its trapped and dependent position. This was the outcome since the project succeeded as a community development process. The community development process is essentially about building or increasing social capacity. The building of social capacity refers to a process whereby both agency and solidarity are increased within a community. Agency or capacity building has to do with the building of values, attitudes, knowledge, skills and personal qualities, e.g. self-esteem and self-reliance, of individual community members, while solidarity has to do with the building of cohesion, trustful relationships and connectivity among various community members. The New Beginnings project illustrates that community development practice that abide by guiding principles that aim to achieve both agency and solidarity building within a community, would eventually result in the sustainability of the project. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Suid-Afrikaanse wynbedryf het ‘n geskiedenis van super-eksploitasie. Arbeidspraktyke soos paternalisme, gebonde behuising, gebonde indiensneming asook die dopstelsel het verseker dat plaaswerker-gemeenskappe in ‘n gevange en afhanklike posisie gehou word. Die gevolg is dat sosiale euwels soos alkoholmisbruik, ‘n hoogs onstabiele gesinslewe, onwettigheid asook ongeletterdheid algemeen voorkom in hierdie gevange plaaswerker-gemeenskappe. Op ‘n indiwiduele vlak, het die oorgrote meerderheid lede van hierdie gemeenskappe min selfvertroue en selfwaarde. Op ‘n gemeenskaplike vlak, kom gesinsgeweld, kindermishandeling, dronkmansbakleiery en messtekery algemeen voor in plaaswerker-gemeenskappe. As teenvoeter vir die bogenoemde toestande in plaaswerker-gemeenskappe, is verskeie inisiatiewe aan die gang gesit in die Suid-Afrikaanse wynbedryf. Hierdie navorsingstudie fokus op een van hierdie inisiatiewe, genaamd die ‘New Beginnings’ projek. As een van die eerste projekte van sy soort, het hierdie projek daarin geslaag om ‘n plaaswerker-gemeenskap vanuit sy gevange en afhanklike posisie te bevry. Die resultaat van die projek was juis moontlik omdat die projek as ‘n gemeenskapsontwikkelings- proses geslaag het. Die gemeenskaps-ontwikkelings-proses gaan hoofsaaklik oor die bou of vermeerdering van sosiale kapasiteit. Die bou van sosiale kapasiteit verwys na ‘n proses waartydens beide agentskap en solidariteit binne ‘n gemeenskap vermeerder word. Agentskap of kapasiteitsbou het te make met die skep van waardes, houdings, kennis, vaardighede asook persoonlike eienskappe, bv. selfwaarde en selfstandigheid, van indiwiduele gemeenskapslede, terwyl solidariteit te doen het met die bou of skep van samehorigheid, betroubare verhoudings en ‘n eenheidsgevoel tussen verskeie gemeenskapslede. Die ‘New Beginnings’ projek wys dat gemeenskapsontwikkelings- praktyk wat hou by die riglyne om beide agentskap en solidariteit binne ‘n gemeenskap te bou, uiteindelik tot die volhoubaarheid van die projek aanleiding sal gee.