From the Chief Executive

A message from the CEO

As we close the second quarter of 2026, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to every WIETA organisation member, agri-worker, social auditor, industry partner and stakeholder who contributed to another successful harvest season. Despite a season characterised by variable weather patterns, South Africans once again demonstrated the resilience, innovation and commitment that continue to distinguish our wine industry on the global stage.

The recently released South African harvest report highlights a vintage of exceptional quality, with the industry overcoming significant climatic variability through sound vineyard management, technical expertise and careful planning. The 2026 harvest reinforces South Africa's reputation as a producer of premium wines capable of competing in increasingly discerning international markets.

While we celebrate these achievements, our thoughts remain with the producers, workers and communities affected by the devastating floods that struck the Breedekloof, Robertson and surrounding regions during late May. The damage to vineyards, infrastructure, roads, housing and farming operations serves as a stark reminder that climate change is no longer a future concern. It is a present-day reality affecting livelihoods throughout our agricultural communities.

Recovery will require continued collaboration between industry, government and local communities, and WIETA stands alongside all those working to rebuild stronger and more resilient businesses and workplaces.

These events reinforce why sustainability can no longer be viewed solely through an environmental lens. Climate resilience, worker wellbeing, responsible employment, community support and ethical business practices are increasingly interconnected. Strong social dialogue, effective management systems and meaningful engagement with workers become even more important during times of disruption and uncertainty.

Internationally, the wine industry continues to evolve rapidly. Global consumer preferences are shifting, with growing demand for transparency, sustainability, lower-alcohol products and demonstrable ethical business practices. At the same time, changing trade conditions, geopolitical uncertainty, climate pressures and increasing due diligence expectations from international buyers continue to reshape market access. For South African producers, maintaining high standards of ethical trade and credible sustainability performance is becoming an important competitive advantage as much as it is a compliance requirement.

At WIETA, we remain committed to supporting our members through these changing conditions. Whether through our assurance programme, training initiatives, master class webinar series, technical guidance, social dialogue platforms or stakeholder engagement, our focus remains on helping members build resilient businesses that place people at the centre of sustainability.

As always, your experiences help shape our work. We encourage members to share the challenges you are facing, whether they relate to labour, housing, climate impacts, infrastructure, market requirements or broader sustainability concerns. Understanding these realities enables WIETA to advocate more effectively on behalf of our members and to develop practical solutions that respond to the needs of our industry.

Thank you for your continued commitment to ethical trade and responsible business. Together, we continue to strengthen the reputation of South African wine while ensuring that sustainability delivers lasting value for workers, producers and communities alike.

Industry engagement

Wine and agriculture industry engagement with DOEL

On 22 June 2026, SA Wine, in collaboration with WIETA, facilitated a significant industry engagement with the Department of Employment and Labour to address the critical issue of overtime during the compressed 2026 harvest season.

Held in Paarl, the meeting brought together key stakeholders from across the agricultural value chain, including SA Wine, Robertson Winery, M3 Human Capital Management, the Department of Employment and Labour, WIETA, FAWU, Agri Western Cape, and Rainbow Chicken. The engagement reflected the industry's collective commitment to balancing compliance with labour legislation while responding to the operational realities created by climate-driven shifts in harvest timing and production.

Key outcomes and commitments

• Request for Ministerial Determination

  The industry reiterated its request for a Ministerial Determination to provide greater flexibility regarding overtime arrangements during peak harvest periods. Stakeholders emphasised that increasingly compressed and climate-affected harvest seasons require practical, legally compliant solutions that enable producers to respond effectively to operational demands while safeguarding workers' rights.

• Broader stakeholder engagement

  The Department expressed its commitment to expanding future discussions to include all relevant stakeholders, including wine grape producers, wineries, organised labour, and ethical trade assurance bodies. SA Wine and WIETA welcomed this approach and reaffirmed their willingness to facilitate inclusive engagements aimed at developing practical, market-responsive solutions.

• Strengthened partnership

  The meeting built on the positive working relationship between the industry and the Department. A formal letter dated 11 May 2026 was submitted to the Provincial Chief Inspector acknowledging the Department's responsiveness and proposing the 22 June engagement in Paarl. The industry extends its sincere appreciation to Mr Cebo Kutuka for his leadership, openness to engagement, and constructive collaboration throughout this process.

The South African wine industry remains steadfast in its commitment to full compliance with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, applicable Sectoral Determinations, and all occupational health, safety and worker wellness requirements. We value our strong and constructive relationship with the Department of Employment and Labour and look forward to continued collaboration in developing practical solutions that support both worker protection and the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of the South African wine industry.

Now available

WIETA Standard Version 5 (2025)

We are excited to announce the release of the WIETA Standard Version 5 (2025), marking a significant milestone in our collective journey toward a more responsible and sustainable wine industry in South Africa.

Developed through extensive collaboration with stakeholders across the value chain, Version 5 has now been formally approved by the WIETA Board (November 2025) following final review by the WIETA Technical Committee (October 2025). This new, consolidated and reformatted standard reflects our shared commitment to continuous improvement in social compliance and ethical trade.

Where to access Standard V5

The Standard has been uploaded to the Ethical Online Portal. Log in and download the full document under My Resources / WIETA Standard.

Go to the portal

Online

Training and masterclasses

WIETA invites members to upcoming online learning opportunities tailored to different stages of your compliance journey. All sessions run via MS Teams.

In person

Training across the Western Cape

A series of in-person training opportunities running from August to December 2026, focusing on worker rights, conflict management and ethical leadership.

Audit assurance

Understanding your audit cycle

Under the WIETA Audit Process and Methodology (APM), maintaining continuous compliance requires strict adherence to your allocated auditing cycle. This cycle is determined directly by your site's ethical performance risk matrix rating, which is automatically calculated based on the number and severity of non-compliances raised during an audit.

To maintain these assurance timelines, members must complete their subsequent audits on or before the Next Audit Before date specified on their current Audit Assurance Letter. Failing to complete the audit within this timeframe results in a Major Non-Compliance finding under Management Systems — and sites who receive a Major Non-Compliance are unable to achieve an A rating.

Your official Audit Assurance Letter is available by logging on to www.ethicaltrade.co.za, navigating to your site or producer profile and opening your Audit Assurance Letter. The critical due date is clearly displayed at the bottom of the letter.

For any audit-related queries, contact Adrian Bezuidenhout, Senior Advisor: Audit Assurance, at adrian@wieta.org.za.

Action required

Outstanding WIETA fees for 2025