Meet the team

Gerard ensures that the South African wine industry recognises and uses science and technology as foundation stones for business success. Gerard has worked in the wine research, development and innovation environment for almost 20 years. He is passionate about innovation, co-creating value-adding research projects, and developing people and knowledge that benefits the entire agriculture ecosystem. Internationally, he represents South Africa Wine on a large Horizon Europe research consortium as an innovation and technology transfer expert.

Adriaan is responsible for the oenology R&D portfolio, supporting the management and efficient operation of all R&D vitivinicultural committees. His role ensures that projects selected for funding align with industry needs and sustainability goals. As a member of the Innovation Committee, he provides strategic and commercial insights important for evaluating the potential of research ideas. Adriaan also oversees the digital platform for South Africa Wine, utilising Google Cloud technology to support research initiatives and other agricultural industries. Internationally, he serves as the Vice President of the Expert Group Techno under Commission II at the OIV, an intergovernmental organisation and represents South African Wine at FIVS, participating in various task forces, including the Codex Task Force and the Scientific Technical Committee, to monitor and address potential technical trade barriers affecting the industry.

Karien manages all the communication and dissemination actions related to academic research projects funded by South Africa Wine. She also communicates results from relevant international research to the South African wine industry. In addition, Karien serves on all the R&D committees to evaluate academic research projects funded by South Africa Wine. Her role involves regular interaction with other industry knowledge transfer role players such as Vinpro, The South African Society for Enology and Viticulture (SASEV), cultivar organisations, Stellenbosch University and suppliers of oenological products. Internationally, she represents South Africa Wine on a large Horizon Europe research consortium as a science communication and dissemination expert.