Stellenbosch University

Table Grape Science is presented at both the University of Stellenbosch (US) and Elsenburg as a complete Viticulture module both within the BSc Agric programme (4 year degree programme) and the B Agric programme (3 year degree programme).  On average around 100 students per year are enrolled for Table Grape Science as a subject (40 BSc Agric 4th year students; 30 BSc Agric 3rd year students; 30 B Agric 3rd year students).

The Viticulture (Table Grape Science) lecturing post at Stellenbosch University has been funded by the SA Table Grape Industry since 1986. Eunice Avenant (SATI Training Manager) has been appointed in this position since August 2012.

As part as the required course work for the degree B Sc Agric in Viticulture and Oenology, or Viticulture in combination with another major subject, the student must do a practical internship. The Viticulture (Table Grape) internship,  comprises 4 months in total, allocated from July in the 3rd academic year to June in the 4th academic year, in line with vineyard activities, as well as the student’s programme at the university. The internship includes the following:

• Practical work in the vineyard and pack store (production practices, harvesting and post-harvest-handling of  export table grapes).
• Exposure to human resource management in a table grape production context.
• Executing a small research project in the vineyard.

For more detail about the programmes offering Viticulture and specifically Table Grape Science at Stellenbosch University and Elsenburg, visit the websites below:

www.sun.ac.za/english/faculty/agri/departments1/viticulture-oenology

www.elsenburg.com/ciat.htm