A LIMESTONE Coast viticulturist received a prestigious award last week in recognition of her dedication to the wine industry.
Kerry DeGaris was named the Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology Viticulturist of the Year, which recognises outstanding viticulturists who demonstrate a broad positive contribution to the industry.
The award also acknowledges those in the wine industry who adopt innovative practices, technologies and other standards.
Dr DeGaris first developed a taste for the wine industry after her exams, soon settling into the Riverland region to work with a rural merchandising firm.
She also worked at Griffith in New South Wales where she was appointed as the industry development officer for the Wine Grapes marketing board and became a member of the viticulture and oenology society.
While in New South Wales, Dr DeGaris was appointed as an Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology regional board member.
“When I moved back to South Australia I became the state representative and had been part of the organisation for around two decades,” she said.
“I moved back to the South East in 2004 and worked as a liaison officer and technical officer and was chair of the technical sub-committee of the Limestone Coast.”
Dr DeGaris completed her PhD in 2016 and focused on the technicalities of grape growing in the Limestone Coast.
“This is where word really came out about my work with the Limestone Coast Grape and Wine Council because the major role is to utilise the Wine Australia money that we receive to extend research,” she said.
“That is done in two ways, through the regional program and through the incubator project.”
Dr DeGaris also encourages young careers research to participate in Limestone Coast-based research, saying it allows aspiring viticulturists to understand the land and creates ties to the region.
“It also allows them to have the opportunity to develop networking skills within the industry so they can understand this is where ground based research really occurs in the region,” she said.
“It also allows them to not forget us when they do go back to the city.”
Dr DeGaris also provides tools for company vineyards as well as technical support, something she said was highly rewarding.
“Being able to get scientific research and putting it into a format that is understandable for your average grape grower is a challenge, but it is also rewarding,” Dr DeGaris said.
“There is nothing more rewarding than when you walk into a venue that you have had some say in and they have taken what you had had to say on board and find out that it is working for them.
“Whether that means they have become more efficient in the chemicals they are using or if its to do with water and actually seeing the benefit is great.”
Hoping her award will encourage other new researchers to enter the industry, Dr DeGaris said she was looking for individuals to help with grape and wine research the region.
“I just hope this award allows us to promote the Limestone Coast and get some more focus on the region from a researcher perspective and also just an everyday perspective,” she said.
“I also hope it encourages young people because I would love to see more young people come into the viticulture industry.”
