Wisdom & Wine 2025: A year of insight, innovation and connection

As 2025 draws to a close, Stellenbosch Business School reflects on a remarkable year of Wisdom & Wine events. Across the Western Cape, alumni, students, faculty and friends of the Business School gathered to explore leadership, sustainability, innovation and the art of winemaking, fostering meaningful connections and inspiring conversations along the way. 

March: Sustainability & Biodiversity  

The series opened at Boschendal Wine Estate, focusing on sustainability, biodiversity and the creation of social, cultural and economic value. Guests explored how regenerative practices can transform ecosystems, businesses and communities. Prof Jako Volschenk, Kerry West Fynn, Shelly Fuller and Jacques Viljoen shared insights into shifting from extractive to regenerative models, demonstrating how biodiversity can be a secret ingredient for a thriving wine industry. The evening combined thought-provoking discussions with world-class wine, setting an inspiring tone for the year. 

July: Sustainable Heritage 

In July, attention turned to family wine estates and the delicate balance between tradition and innovation. Dr Edo Heyns, Jeremy Davids, Mosima Mabelebele, and Willem-Karel Deetlefs led conversations at Deetlefs Wine Estate on values-driven leadership, adaptive strategies and sustaining legacy. Guests left inspired by actionable insights into how family businesses can honour heritage while embracing innovation and social impact. 

September: Innovation, Sustainability & Impact  

At Warwick Wine Estate, the dialogue expanded to global innovation and inclusive sustainability. Christiana von Arnim, Berenice Barker, Lesego Serolong Holzapfel and Carlo Prins shared how regenerative practices, social impact and forward-thinking leadership can create long-term value. The session highlighted Ubuntu, entrepreneurship and the intersection of purpose and performance, leaving participants motivated to turn ideas into action. 

November: Executive Wellness & Leadership  

The series concluded at Delheim Wine Estate with a focus on leadership, values and well-being. Luc Van der Hofstadt, Prof Arnold Smit, Nongcebo Langa and Purdon Rhode explored how executives can deliver sustained high performance while prioritising wellness and ethical leadership. The evening emphasised human-centred approaches to ambition, resilience, and team impact, offering guests practical tools to thrive in complex professional environments. 

Wisdom & Wine 2025 demonstrated the power of connection, insight and community. We extend our gratitude to our speakers, estate hosts, alumni and attendees who made this year’s gatherings unforgettable. Visit our Stellenbosch Business Connect page for more photos of the year’s events. 

Looking ahead to 2026, we are excited to continue the Wisdom & Wine series in collaboration with Investec, with more inspiring developments to follow. We can’t wait to deepen connections, continue these conversations and explore new opportunities for leadership, sustainability and innovation across wine, business and beyond.