Rooted in the heart of South Africa’s premier wine region, the Department of Viticulture and Oenology at Stellenbosch University is a global leader in grape and wine science. With a legacy dating back to the 1880s and formalised under the pioneering leadership of Professor A.I. Perold—the father of Pinotage—the department blends tradition with innovation to shape the future of the wine industry.
Our teaching and research span the full grape-to-glass journey, integrating plant science, winemaking, biotechnology, and sustainability. We offer South Africa’s only university-based undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in viticulture and oenology, supported by cutting-edge facilities including an experimental cellar, greenhouse, and commercial-scale vineyards at the Welgevallen Experimental Farm.
Together with the South African Grape and Wine Research Institute (SAGWRI), we drive multidisciplinary research and industry collaboration, preparing graduates to lead with knowledge, creativity, and environmental responsibility.
