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Welkom - Welcome - Wamkelekile

Introduction

The Institute for Wine Biotechnology (IWBT) was established at Stellenbosch University in 1995 as part of a knowledge partnership and strategic alliance between Stellenbosch University, the wine industry (Wine Industry Network of Expertise and Technology: Winetech) and government (Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme: THRIP), with Prof Sakkie Pretorius as the first director. The IWBT forms part of the Department of Viticulture and Oenology in the Faculty of AgriSciences at Stellenbosch University.

Vision and mission

To be a nationally and internationally competitive centre of excellence in wine and grapevine biotechnology that, by means of visionary training and innovative research, provides the South African grapevine and wine industry with:

• well-trained human resources;
• cutting-edge technology;
• expert knowledge; and
• environmentally friendly products and practices.

Facilities

The IWBT is situated in the JH Neethling building [MAP]. In addition to offices, lecture rooms, a board room and an auditorium, the building also has high-technology grapevine and wine biotechnology research laboratories containing modern and sophisticated research facilities and apparatus, as well as a greenhouse for transgenic vineyard plants. There is also an experimental cellar that is used for the training of postgraduate students.