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Retired US viticulturist receives 1659 medal of honour
Author: Engela Duvenage
Published: 15/02/2019

A man with a photographer's eye for detail when it comes to a vine or leaf. A humble professor who helped to take the wine industry forward. One who gives 110% in everything he does and is passionately about his field of study. That's how colleagues and former students describe Prof Piet Goussard, who was named as the recipient of this year's 1659 medal of honour from the South African wine industry. He is one of the few local viticulturists to have received the award since 1974. It commemorates the first wine harvest in South Africa in 1659.Wynoesherdenking Wine Harvest Com 2019 (2).jpg

Prof Goussard hails from Prieska and the Agter Paarl. He started his career as a viticulture lecturer at Stellenbosch University in 1971, after he also studied at the institution. He obtained his doctorate in 1984. Prof Goussard, who retired in 2014, was chairman of the Department of Viticulture and Oenology for more than a decade.

"Prof Goussard has played a major role in training, research and technology transfer in viticulture throughout his career and is a recognized expert in several important aspects of viticulture," says Ernest Messina, chairman of Groot Constantia Estate, that, along with Standard Bank, Vinpro and Die Burger newspaper organises the award.

Prof Goussard has published over 100 scientific and popular articles and received numerous awards, such as the South African Society of Enology and Viticulture (SASEV) merit medal in 2001. He served for 15 years as the editor of SASEV's South African Journal of Enology and Viticulture

He has done important research to help ensure that the local nursery industry delivers good quality virus-free plant material. In this regard, he developed in vitro methods to help remove viruses.

Prof Goussard with a camera in a vineyard is a well-known sight to many. Over the years, he has built up a rich photo database of every possible condition or disease one can expect in a South African vineyard. He has combined it with his encyclopaedic knowledge over the past nine years to publish three books. These are available in English and Afrikaans. The first, Grape Cultivars for Wine Production in South Africa, is about the 66 grape cultivars grown in the country until 2009. Annual Growth Cycle of a Grapevine appeared in 2012 and offers a rich visual representation of the life cycle of a vineyard through the course of a season. The third book, A Guide to Grapevine Abnormalities in South Africa, was published in 2015 and includes the various diseases, pests and disorders that are typically found in a vineyard.

His former students hold him in high regard. Some today teach viticulture at SU. Prof Melané Vivier says she appreciates the way in which he supports people and their projects above all else. Dr Erna Blancquaert describes him as the most patient and humble person, and one who has time even for students who are struggling to understand the more difficult concepts in viticulture.

"He has made an impact on the industry with his research and excellent attention to detail when it comes to taking the perfect photo," she says.

Photo:

Prof Piet Goussard and his wife Laetitia (right), with SU staff members Prof Melané Vivier and Prof Maret du Toit.

Photo: Natalie Gabriels Photography/Die Burger