Dr Erna Blancquaert was honoured as the Agricultural Writers South Africa (AWSA) Researcher of the year for 2024 at the iXhariep regional awards held at Durbanville Hills Wines on 4 October.

Blancquaert’s teach in the undergraduate program in the Department of Viticulture and Oenology in the fields of ampelography, grape berry stress physiology and pests and diseases. Her research expertise in grapevine stress physiology is crucial for tackling the challenges posed by climate change. More recently she explores alternative farming practices on grape quality.

She is not only an academic but is also involved in agriculture on a national level as she serves as a trustee of the agricultural minister On the Deciduous Fruit Industry’s Development Trust, ensuring her research translates into practical insights. She is a wine judge on some of South Africa's top wine competitions as she jokingly says, "the proof is in the pudding". Internationally, Blancquaert is a Fulbright alumnus and led Stellenbosch in the Vitaglobal project which is an Erasmus funded project with other universities from wine producing countries.

"None of this would have been possible without my mentors. Dr Victoria Carey and the late Prof Piet Goussard and Prof Eben Archer who got me to this point. Without their passion and willingness to share none of this would have been possible. I am passionate about the industry, my research and academic teaching but it is incredibly difficult every day when you get undermined, questioned and second-guessed on all as a female and a person of colour in this field. This is not only exhausting and frustrating but also sad considering we are 30 years post-apartheid. I dream of the day where we all can work together and make the wine industry and the country better"