The DVO and IWBT at this University are the only in the country to offer opportunities for undergraduate and postgraduate study in Viticulture and Oenology.

Viticulture (DVO)
The generation of new, innovative and applicable knowledge on the grapevine and its cultivation is the focus of the viticultural research undertaken by the DVO. This includes the investigation and mapping of environmental effects on grapevine performance and wine style at the level of inter- and intra-vineyard variation, including a focus on grape secondary metabolism. A further focus is on the integration of grapevine stress physiology, biochemical path­ways and management practices to optimise grape and wine quality for both the table grape and wine industries. The creation of improved grapevine material obtained by means of somatic embryogenesis as starting point for the transformation and genetic manipulation of both scion and rootstock cultivars is another point of focus.

Oenology (DVO)
The oenological research focuses on the influence of the vinification process (such as micro- and macro-oxygenation, etc.), micro organisms (yeasts and bacteria), additives (such as tannins and enzymes) and maturation on wine composition, style and quality.

Grapevine and Wine biotechnology (IWBT)
The research portfolio of the IWBT is divided into three programmes. The first focuses on the molecular characterisation of metabolic and signal pathways in yeasts and the genetic improvement of wine yeast strains. The second is concerned with lactic acid and other bacteria, including their impact on wine, metabolic characterisation and improvement of malolactic fermentation. The third programme focuses on the molecular biology and genetic improvement of grape cultivars. The IWBT has secured funding from CapeBiotech, a regional biotechnology innovation centre, to establish a company aimed at commercialising the research outputs of the Institute. SunBio officially began operations in April 2005. SunBio has to report to CapeBiotech regularly about the progress with the project and early reports indicate that the venture is proceeding well. Through its Chemical Analytical Facility, the IWBT has reorganised the in-house analytical facility to become the nucleus of a network of wine chemistry-related activities on the campus.

Academic:
Prof FF Bauer (Chairperson; Yeast Molecular and Cellular Biology)
Dr VA Carey (Grapevine Terroirs)
Prof AJ Deloire (Grapevine ripening)
Dr BT Divol (Wine Biotechnology)
Prof M du Toit (Wine Microbiology and Biopreservation)
Dr WJ du Toit (Wine Ageing)
Prof PG Goussard* (Propagation, Cultivation and Improvement of Grapevines)
MA McKay (Wine Aging and Aroma, Sensory Evaluation)
Dr JP Moore (Grapevine Biochemistry)
Dr HH Nieuwoudt* (Spectroscopy)
PJ Raath (Table Grape Cultivation)
C Stander (Grapevine Biotechnology)
AE Strever (Grapevine Cultivation)
Dr AGJ Tredoux (Wine Chemistry)
Prof MA Vivier (Grapevine Molecular Biology and Biotechnology)
Prof MB von Wechmar* (Microbe Biodiversity)
EH Witbooi (Viticulture)
Dr PR Young* (Grapevine Biotechnology)


Professors Extraordinary:
Prof KH Esbensen* (Wine Biotechnology)
Prof JJ Hunter* (Viticulture)
Prof MG Lambrechts* (Oenology, Wine Biotechnology)
Prof P van Rensburg (Wine Fermentation and Processing)


Technical:
ZA Coetzee*,L Engelbrecht*, TT Greyling*, J Jacobs, HK Jumat*, N Kargaard*, M Korkie*, ER Lakey,
JG Lashbrooke*, M Nell, Dr A Oberholster*, BW Quixley*, W Smith, A van Wyk, R van Wyk*, CR van Zyl*, MJ Visagie*, RF Wassüng



Administrative:
S Baard, GR Burton, A Ligthelm*, LP Rambau*, JE Swart, CCA Vergeer*


Supporting:
EF Februarie, T Jansen, H September, D Swarts, JP Williams

DVO contact information:
Tel: +27 21 808 4545

sun.ac.za/viti_oenol

IWBT contact information:
Tel: +27 21 808 3770

www.sun.ac.za/wine_biotechnology

SunBio (company within the IWBT)
Vacant (Project Manager: SunBio)

Academic:
Dr AL Burger* (Yeast Biotechnology)
Dr H Schoeman* (Yeast Biotechnology)
AY Smit* (Yeast Breeding)
EL Topley* (Yeast Biotechnology)
JJ Zietsman* (Yeast Biotechnology)

Technical:
LO Adams*, SC Fairbairn*, WL Kotobe*, MO Tekolo*, E Potgieter*

SunBio contact information:
Tel: +27 21 887 2474

www.sun.ac.za/wine_biotechnology

* Temporary