Viticulturist awarded 1659 medal of honour

Prof Piet Goussard (middle), 2019 recipient of the 1659 medal of honour, along with partners of the Wine Harvest Commemorative Event, fltr Dr Ernest Messina (chairman of Groot Constantia), Reghardt Strauss (agricultural specialist of Standard Bank in the Western Cape), Anton Smuts (chairman of Vinpro) and Willem Jordaan (editor of Die Burger)

“Prof Goussard has played a major role in training, research and technology transfer in viticulture throughout his career and is a recognised expert in several important aspects of viticulture,” says Dr Ernest Messina, chairperson of Groot Constantia. “His significant career achievements are testament to a professional life dedicated to the advancement of viticulture as a discipline and the South African grape and wine industries in general.”

Goussard hails from Prieska and later Agter-Paarl where he was introduced to the world of table and wine grape farming during school holidays. He joined the Department of Viticulture and Oenology (DVO) at Stellenbosch University as a student in 1965 and ended his career as professor in viticulture in 2010. He served as head of department for 14 years.

His research outputs are well-recognised and still used today in the nursery industries. He has published 70 scientific and popular articles and received several awards, such as the South African Society for Enology and Viticulture’s (SASEV) prestigious Medal of Merit in 2001. He was also the editor of the flagship journal of the society, the South African Journal of Enology and Viticulture for 15 years. Known as a ‘walking viticulture encyclopedia’, Goussard published three books in the last eight years, combining his extensive viticulture knowledge and his passion for photography.