Wine Science

About 70 percent of Australian wine research happens at the University of Adelaide’s Waite campus.

Adelaide is one of the great wine capitals of the world with over 200 cellar doors within an hour of the CBD.

Our scientists lead innovative oenology and viticulture research that extends over the whole of the grape and wine value chain. We are passionate about teaching wine science and best practice techniques to future leaders of industry.  


Waite campus winery. Wine sciences research

Research

With more than 150 researchers and partners in wine and grape science based at our ARC Training Centre for Innovative Wine Production, we are at the forefront of research.  

Our academic expertise, along with those from our co-located partners at Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI), South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) and CSIRO in grape and wine science are innovators and cultural leaders within a sector that significantly helps drive the nation’s economy. 

Our discipline experts aim to create better wines by: 

  • sustainable vineyard management and land stewardship 
  • understanding grape ripening processes 
  • assessing new grape varieties for suitability in our climate 
  • mitigating the impact of climate change and smoke taint 
  • improving winemaking processes 
  • discovering new yeast strains to improve fermentation 
  • profiling wine composition and sensory attributes 
  • learning about people’s wine preferences 

Our research includes biotechnology and fermentation and wine microbiology. Our biotechnology and fermentation facility seeks to improve the performance of yeast and bacteria. This state-of-the-art facility is managed by researchers from the Wine Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology Group


  • Extensive undergraduate and postgraduate teaching

    Undergraduate

    Bachelor of Viticulture & Oenology 

    Learn at Australia’s largest teaching winery, studying wine making and the science behind wine. Graduate as a fully trained winemaker or viticulturist, ready to make wine, grow grapes and manage a winery or vineyard. 


    Postgraduate  

    Internationally renowned for our excellence in education, we offer postgraduate coursework degrees. Up-skill or dive into a new career as a wine maker or viticulturalist. Learn about the latest advancements in fermentation, brewing and sustainable wine production: 

  • Higher Degree by Research (HDR)

    Gain a competitive career edge through a research degree. We offer two postgraduate research degrees:  

    • The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) is a two-year full-time (or part-time commitment) and teaches you about applying research methodology to critically evaluate literature and results in your field.  
    • The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is our flagship research award for a research career or academic position. Study a research degree in an area of interest and be supported by one of our highly talented research supervisors.  

    HDR opportunities 

  • Collaborate with us

    Partner with us at the largest agriculture, food and wine sciences research hub in the southern hemisphere. Access world-class facilities and work with highly accomplished researchers and sought-after higher degree students.

    Partner with us