Through the WineLand & ROTOCON 30 Under 30 Awards and the ROTOCON Student Wine Label Design competition, printing tech specialist ROTOCON is backing the next-generation of wine and design professionals.
For six years, the WineLand & ROTOCON 30 Under 30 Awards have been a launchpad for the local wine industry’s brightest young talent – winemakers, viticulturists, sommeliers and marketers who are driving the industry forward.
As a proud sponsor of the 2025 edition, ROTOCON is once again putting its weight behind the next generation. Group CEO Michael Aengenvoort is unwavering in his belief that nurturing young talent is non-negotiable. “These awards go beyond celebrating achievements; they help identify and shape the industry’s future leaders,” he says.
The perfect wine label is a marriage of design, print technology and regulatory precision. That’s where
ROTOCON’s second major youth initiative comes in – the ROTOCON Student Wine Label Design competition.
Three years ago, Michael saw an opportunity to take ROTOCON’s involvement in the 30 Under 30 Awards a step further with an idea to recognise young designers alongside young winemakers. The result was a fully-fledged student competition under the mentorship of Banie Stafford, owner of design agency B.Creative.
Determined to extend the competition’s reach beyond the Cape Winelands, Banie set his sights on Gauteng, where wine culture is less ingrained but creative potential is limitless. The result? A flood of fresh perspectives, innovative ideas and bold new takes on what a wine label could be.
Now in its third year, the competition has exceeded all expectations. Working closely with the Department of Visual Communication at TUT, the initiative has attracted an exceptional calibre of third- and fourth-year Integrated Communication Design (ICD) students.
Thanks to Banie’s deep industry expertise, these students gain real-world exposure to the packaging and labelling sector. Field trips, mentorship sessions, and hands-on printability lessons ensure that their ideas don’t just look good on a screen but translate seamlessly into high-quality printed labels. Students must pitch their work to a panel of industry judges, honing their presentation skills and learning the art of selling a creative vision.
Between the 30 Under 30 Awards and the Student Wine Label Design competition, ROTOCON is doing more than just supporting the next generation – it’s investing in it. “Through mentorship, skills development and hands-on experience, we’re equipping young professionals with the tools they need to thrive,” Michael says. “These initiatives aren’t just about celebrating talent; they’re about shaping the future of wine and design.”
With ROTOCON behind them, South Africa’s young winemakers and designers are not only making a name for themselves but also defining the industry’s next chapter. And that’s something worth raising a glass to.
PDF of article»» as featured in WineLand Magazine
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