Wine Australia is committed to the development of the next generation of researchers, experts and leaders who will help to drive the Australian grape and wine community's future.
Wine Australia offers a PhD and Masters by Research scholarship program to help attract postgraduate students to the fields of wine, viticulture and wine business research.
Our scholarship recipients are placed across a diverse range of disciplines and across projects that will help support a prosperous grape and wine community.
Click on the arrow below to view the current scholarship recipients and their projects.
Where student names are shown in green you can click through to watch a short video about their research.
Where a project number is shown in green you can click through to read a short synopsis of their research.
Dr Tony Jordan OAM Memorial Award
In 2019 Wine Australia established the Dr Tony Jordan OAM Award, an annual award for the most outstanding Wine Australia PhD scholarship applicant.
Over his distinguished career, Dr Jordan was an influential and determined advocate for the advancement of Australian wine as a winemaker, researcher, mentor, wine show judge and wine sector leader. Dr Jordan was crucial to the establishment of the wine science program at Charles Sturt University in the 1970s, influencing modern Australian wine practices. He was an ardent supporter of academic endeavour and encouraged excellence across the Australian grape and wine community.
Wine Australia awards merit-based PhD scholarships with a stipend top-up to $35,000. The Dr Tony Jordan OAM Award recipient will receive a stipend top-up to $40,000 annually to support their study.
The Tony Jordan award is offered to the most outstanding applicant based on merit. Wine Australia reserves the right to not offer this award annually.
Recipients of the Dr Tony Jordan memorial award
Andrew O’Brien, 2025, The University of Adelaide
Influence of novel vineyard cover crops on the aroma and flavour of wine to be explored
Media release
Jacob Long, 2024, The University of Adelaide
Investigating novel germplasm solutions: Sensory characteristics and consumer acceptance of 1st generation mildew resistant varieties and gene-edited grapevines
Media release
Kate Kingston, 2022, Griffith University
Developing and applying climate smart and biochar-based innovative technologies for viticulture future in southeast Queensland.
Media release
Anne Johnson, 2021, Charles Sturt University
Implementation of agroecological practices in viticulture: Identification of factors that motivate or constrain uptake.
Media release
Joseph Marks, 2020, University of Adelaide
Sustaining viticulture: How under-vine (sp. Vitis vinifera) cover crops affect arbuscular mycorrhizal associations, soil organic carbon composition and soil carbon stocks.
Video: The Future of Vineyard Management
"A Changing of the Vines" - ABC News
"Cover crops – get it right, and reap the benefits" - Wine Australia
"Under-vine cover crops show their value" - Wine Australia
"The evidence supports the value of under-vine crops" - Wine Australia
Active scholarships
Wine Australia provides top up scholarships to the following students. We acknowledge the universities and additional scholarship programs providing support to these students as they carry out research for the grape and wine community.
Viticulture, grapes and the vineyard
|
Name |
Research Organisation |
Project title |
Project No |
| Jacob Long (2024 Dr Tony Jordan OAM Award recipient) | The University of Adelaide | Investigating novel germplasm solutions: Sensory characteristics and consumer acceptance of 1st generation mildew resistant varieties and gene-edited grapevines | WA Ph2401 |
| Marcos Andres Sodupe | Charles Sturt University | Prevalence, distribution, and role of Cryptovalsa ampelina in grapevine dieback in Australia | WA Ph2402 |
| Calvin Wong | Charles Sturt University | Grapevine root distribution and implications for nutrient uptake in cover cropped vineyards | WA Ph2405 |
| Grace Prayogo | The University of Adelaide | Characterising physiological, biochemical, and molecular traits in Shiraz grapevines of varying vine age in Barossa Valley | WA Ph2406 |
| WenWen Jiang | The University of Adelaide | Glycosyltransferases in grapevine secondary metabolism: Understanding and modifying their activity and selectivity | WA Ph2407 |
| Dyanah Amorio | Charles Sturt University | One vine, two diseases: Interactions of different grapevine trunk disease pathogens within vines | WA Ph2201 |
| Fei Zhang | University of Adelaide | Mobile RNA signalling between rootstock and scion in grafted grapevine | WA Ph2202 |
| Callan Alexander | Queensland University of Technology | Monitoring avian functional diversity in vineyards using autonomous recording units and deep learning | WA Ph2203 |
|
Kate Kingston (2021 Dr Tony Jordan OAM Award recipient) |
Griffith University |
Developing and applying climate smart and biochar-based innovative technologies for viticulture future in southeast Queensland |
WA Ph2100 |
|
Joanah Midzi |
The University of Adelaide Graduate Centre |
Inter-vine signalling via plant volatiles |
WA Ph2104 |
|
Colin Starkey |
Charles Sturt University |
Alternate strategies and vineyard practices for reducing the risk of grapevine trunk diseases |
WA Ph2106 |
|
Anne Johnson (2020 Dr Tony Jordan OAM Award recipient) |
Charles Sturt University |
Implementation of agroecological practices in viticulture: Identification of factors that motivate or constrain uptake. |
WA Ph2000 |
|
Benjamin Pike |
University of Adelaide |
Understanding the Relative Sustainability of Harvesting Pruned Vineyard Biomass and the Effect on Carbon Sequestration and Disease Management. |
WA Ph2005 |
|
Chethana Gowder Shekharappa |
University of Adelaide |
The role of Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and Gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) in cell death in grape berry development. |
WA Ph1910 |
|
Claire Armstrong |
University of Adelaide |
Understanding and managing grape berry heterogeneity in the vineyard to improve Cabernet Sauvignon wine quality. |
WA Ph1802 |
|
Joseph Marks (2019 Dr Tony Jordan OAM Award recipient) |
University of Adelaide |
Sustaining viticulture: How under-vine (sp. Vitis vinifera) cover crops affect arbuscular mycorrhizal associations, soil organic carbon composition and soil carbon stocks. |
WA Ph1902 |
|
University of Tasmania |
Science to inform decision making between synthetic and alternative nitrogen sources in vineyards. |
WA Ph1904 |
|
|
CSIRO |
Rootstock effects on grape rachis (bunch-stem) composition and the implications for red wine flavour and aroma. |
WA Ph1901 |
Oenology
|
Name |
Research Organisation |
Project title |
Project No |
| Maria Fiorito | Queensland University of Technology | Engineering protein biosensors for detecting smoke taint in wines | WA Ph2403 |
| Ysadora Mirabelli-Montan | University of Adelaide | Rapid analytical methods for early detection of smoke taint in grape juice | WA Ph2200 |
|
Yanina Giordano |
The University of Adelaide Graduate Centre |
Alternatives to sulfur dioxide for controlling Brettanomyces spoilage in wine |
WA Ph2102 |
|
Alix Harlington |
The University of Adelaide |
Engineering biosensors of smoke taint. |
WA Ph2002 |
|
Christopher Caboche |
University of Queensland |
Analysis of the wine glycoproteome and proteome to improve quality and track provenance. |
WA Ph1903 |
|
Hugh Holds |
University of Adelaide |
From brandewijn (burnt wine) to bush fires: new directions in Australian Brandy production. |
WA Ph1905 |
|
Ranjith Cebreco |
University of Adelaide |
Engineering biosensors of wine spoilage. |
WA Ph2001 |
|
Spencer Petticrew |
Flinders University |
Exploration of macromolecular complexes in wine using the Vortex Fluidic Device. |
WA Ph1801 |
|
Yiming Huo |
University of Adelaide |
Mitigating taint in wine due to vineyard exposure to bushfire smoke. |
WA Ph2003 |
Sensory
|
Name |
Research Organisation |
Project title |
Project No |
| Huanhuan Li | Queensland University of Technology | Understanding and improving the mouthfeel and flavour profiles of no and low alcohol (NOLO) wine | WA Ph2404 |
|
Billy Xynas |
University of Melbourne |
Wine production in a changing Australian climate: water addition to musts and the effects on phenolic, chemical and sensory attributes. |
WA Ph1913 |
|
Shaoyang Wang |
University of Queensland |
A systematic approach to understanding wine texture and mouthfeel |
WA Ph1704 |
Wine business, consumers and marketing
|
Name |
Research Organisation |
Project title |
Project No |
|
Irma Dupuis |
University of Newcastle |
The Wine Provenance Project: Blockchain-enabled wine labels, a new era for consumer trust? |
WA Ph2101 |
|
German Puga |
University of Adelaide |
Essays in Wine Economics |
WA Ph2006 |
University of Adelaide and Wine Australia co-funded project scholarships
|
Name |
Research Organisation |
Project title |
Project No |
|
Yu Hou |
University of Adelaide |
The role of polysulfanes in the appearance of ‘reduced’ wine aromas |
UA Ph2102 |
|
Tingting Shi |
University of Adelaide |
Novel use of activated carbon fabric to mitigate the impact of grapevine exposure to bushfire smoke |
UA Ph2101 |
|
Tea Knezevic |
University of Adelaide |
Defining the diversity and their potential applications of yeasts from Australian niches |
UA Ph2105 |
|
Cassidy Shaw |
University of Adelaide |
Driving the image and growth of NOLO wines in Australia and key export markets |
UA Ph2103 |
|
Syuzanna Mosikyan |
University of Adelaide |
Examining consumer acceptance of alternative and gene-edited traditional grape varieties |
UA Ph2104 |
Completed scholarships
This completed scholarship list covers only the most recent five-year period. If you have any questions please email research@wineaustralia.com
Viticulture, grapes and the vineyard
|
Student |
Title |
Completion date |
Research Organisation |
File Number |
| Brady Welsh | Vines, Wines and Microbiomes: The impact of fungicides on the phyllosphere microbiome of grapevines used for winemaking. | The University of Adelaide Graduate Centre | WA Ph2107 | |
| Andres Zhou Tsang | Genetic basis of salt exclusion in grapevine. | The University of Adelaide | WA Ph2009 | |
| Kamalpreet Kaur | The molecular epidemiology and control of grapevine pinot gris virus in Australian viticulture. | La Trobe University | WA Ph1907 | |
| Yeniu Wang | Detection of grapevine virus diseases in Australian vineyards using remote sensing and machine learning techniques. | University of Adelaide | WA Ph2008 | |
| Merek Kesser | A regional study of the effects of vineyard floor management on soil health, biodiversity and terroir expression. | 2024 | University of Adelaide | WA Ph1908 |
| Rochelle Schlank | Comparison of soil, vine, and environmental metrics to optimise vineyard irrigation scheduling. | 2024 | University of Adelaide | WA Ph2007 |
| Xiaoyi Wang | Molecular genetic control of grapevine bud fruitfulness | 2023 | University of Adelaide | WA Ph1912 |
| Qi Wu | The molecular diversity of viruses infecting Australian grapevines | 2023 | University of Tasmania | WA Ph1706 |
| Patrick O'Brien | Developing and assessing different cordon establishment techniques for long term vineyard management | 2022 | University of Adelaide | WA Ph1806 |
| Xinxin Song | Towards differential management to supply more fruit at desired price point | 2023 | University of Tasmania | WA Ph1707 |
| Pietro Previtali | Breaking the sugar flavour nexus: producing grapes with less sugar and more flavour | 2022 | University of Adelaide | WA Ph1805 |
| Alexander Copper | Assessing the suitability of indigenous Cypriot grape varieties for Australia’s challenging and changing climate | 2022 | University of Adelaide | WA Ph1703 |
| Ruchira Ranaweera |
Chemical markers for authentication of Australian wine |
2022 |
University of Adelaide |
WA Ph1909 |
| Harriet Walker | Improving grapevine yield and wine quality through optimised vine nutrition and pruning | 2021 | University of Tasmania | UA Ph1607 |
| Jingyun Ouyang | The Applications of UAV and Ground Digital Imagery Analysis for Monitoring Grapevine Canopy in Vineyard | 2021 | University of Adelaide | AGW Ph1601 |
| Jennifer Niem | Characterisation of the microbiome associated with grapevines and evaluation of endophytic microorganisms as biological control agents of grapevine trunk disease pathogens | 2021 | Charles Sturt University | AGW Ph1606 |
| Di Liu | Microbial terroir: understanding the importance of the soil-borne microbial community to Australian terroir | 2021 | University of Melbourne | AGW Ph1602 |
|
Gyongyver Korosi |
Entomopathogenic fungi as potential biocontrol agents of grape phylloxera |
2019 |
Charles Sturt University |
GWR Ph1202 |
|
Yue Wu |
Genetic mechanisms that underpin chloride and sodium exclusion in grapevine germplasm |
2019 |
The University of Adelaide Graduate Centre |
AGW Ph1502 |
|
Pierluigi Reveglia |
Isolation and characterisation of phytotoxins produced by the Botryosphaeriaceae and their role in grapevine trunk diseases |
2019 |
Charles Sturt University |
WA Ph1701 |
|
Sarah Moss |
Understanding a key regulatory step in the auxin signalling pathway involved in the control of berry ripening |
2018 |
CSIRO Agriculture and Food |
GWR Ph1104 |
|
Yazhini Velappan |
Oxidative Activation of the Cell Cycle and its Role in Axillary Bud Development and Dormancy under Optimal and Stressed Conditions |
2018 |
University of Western Australia |
GWR Ph1201 |
|
James Hook |
Assessment of vineyard performance to predict wine quality |
2018 |
The University of Adelaide Graduate Centre |
GWR M1301 |
|
Hieu Trung Bui |
Enhanced biological control of light brown apple moth in vineyards |
2018 |
The University of Adelaide Graduate Centre |
GWR Ph1317 |
|
Mary Retallack |
Evaluating native insectary plant species to boost beneficial arthropod populations in vineyards |
2018 |
The University of Adelaide Graduate Centre |
GWR Ph1209 |
|
Olaf Schelezki |
Optimisation of an early harvest regime - Impact on grape and wine quality and content |
2018 |
The University of Adelaide Graduate Centre |
GWR Ph1408 |
|
Chelsea Jarvis |
The impact of modes of climate on vineyard performance in Australia |
2018 |
The University of Melbourne |
GWR Ph1401 |
|
Lieke Van Der Hulst |
The biochemical response of grapevines to smoke exposure |
2018 |
The University of Adelaide Graduate Centre |
GWR Ph1403 |
|
Andrew Taylor |
Genetic structure, survival mechanisms and spread of grapevine downy mildew populations in Western Australian and Australian vineyards |
2018 |
Murdoch University |
GWR Ph1301 |
|
Luciano Caravia |
Assessing berry senescence processes under warming conditions and how to ameliorate its negative effects |
2017 |
The University of Adelaide Graduate Centre |
GWR Ph1205 |
|
Gerhard Rossouw |
The influence of grapevine balance and water status during berry maturation on internal carbohydrate dynamics and leaf function |
2017 |
Charles Sturt University |
GWR Ph1306 |
|
Dylan Grigg |
Indicators of vine balance and their application to rapid estimation of yield and key crop parameters |
2017 |
The University of Adelaide Graduate Centre |
GWR Ph1304 |
|
Jingyun Ouyang |
Early yield prediction: assessment of inflorescence primordia and primary bud necrosis |
2017 |
The University of Adelaide Undergraduate Scholarships Office |
AGW H1502 |
|
Catherine Kidman |
The effect of rootstock and water stress on the reproductive performance of Vitis vinifera L. |
2015 |
The University of Adelaide Graduate Centre |
GWR Ph0904 |
|
Stewart Hall |
Effects of the Plant Pathogen Pseudomonas syringae and Botrytis cinerea with the Grapevine Defence System |
2015 |
Charles Sturt University |
GWR Ph1109 |
|
Emily Higginson |
Identification of genes involved in the levels of organic acids in Grape berries |
2015 |
The University of Adelaide Graduate Centre |
GWR Ph1103 |
|
Pangzhen Zhang |
The biological origin of rotundone in Vitis vinifera cv. Shiraz grapevine |
2015 |
The University of Melbourne |
GWR Ph1203 |
|
Ellen Davis |
Optimizing nitrogen use in cool climate vineyards to improve fruitset and maximise wine phenolics |
2015 |
The University of Tasmania |
GWR H1401 |
Oenology
|
Student |
Title |
Finish |
Research Organisation |
File Number |
| Xingchen Wang | Identification of new precursors and factors affecting varietal thiols and their precursors in grapes and wines. | 2022 | University of Adelaide | WA Ph1803 |
| Yihe Sui | Use of membrane filtration technology to achieve protein stability in white wine. | 2022 | University of Adelaide | WA Ph1911 |
|
Tom Lang |
Yeast strain construction usig CRISPRCas9 using mediated gnome editing. |
2021 |
The University of Adelaide Graduate Centre |
AGW Ph1603 |
|
Gail Gnionski |
Novel approaches to autolysis manipulation and improving efficiencies in sparkling wine production |
2021 |
The University of Tasmania |
WA Ph1705 |
|
Louise Bartle |
Identification and understanding of Saccharomyces and Oenococcus interactions in co-inoculated cultures for development of robust inoculation pairs in wine fermentation. |
2020 |
The University of Adelaide Graduate Centre |
AGW Ph1510 |
|
Lisa Hartmann |
Bioprospecting the regional genetic diversity of Australian wine microbiota |
2019 |
The University of Adelaide Graduate Centre |
AGW Ph1501 |
|
Patrick Setford |
Process control of objective wine quality parameters during fermentation using novel simulation models |
2019 |
The University of Adelaide Graduate Centre |
AGW Ph1505 |
|
Bruna Lima |
Objective Measures of Sparkling Wine Quality |
2019 |
The University of Melbourne |
AGW Ph1508 |
|
Rachel Self |
Developing Botrytis cinerea as a potent non‐GM enzyme producer for the removal of haze‐forming proteins under normal winemaking conditions |
2019 |
Macquarie University |
AGW Ph1511 |
|
Liang Chen |
Origin of varietal thiols: environmental and winemaking effects |
2019 |
The University of Adelaide Graduate Centre |
AGW Ph1512 |
|
Julie Tang |
Autonomous In-Vivo Determination of Maturity Parameters |
2019 |
University of New South Wales |
AGW Ph1513 |
|
Xinyi Zhang |
Impacts of viticultural conditions and juice composition on the oxidative and reductive development of wine. |
2019 |
Charles Sturt University |
AGW Ph1509 |
|
Pastor Jullian Fabres |
Decoding the unique terroir of Australian wines using a multi-omics approach |
2019 |
The University of Adelaide Graduate Centre |
AGW Ph1503 |
|
Ross Farrell |
Optimising oak expression in wine through real-time flavour profiling of maturation products |
2018 |
The University of Tasmania |
GWR Ph1311 |
|
Ryan Zeppel |
Genomic insights into the nutrient utilisation and wine spoilage potential of Dekkera bruxellensis. |
2018 |
The University of Adelaide Graduate Centre |
GWR Ph1315 |
|
Ana Hranilovic |
Non-Saccharomyces yeasts in ethanol reduction and flavour enhancement - supplementary funding application |
2018 |
The University of Adelaide Graduate Centre |
GWR Ph1407 |
|
Josephine Peter |
Identification of yeast genes enabling efficient Oenological fermentation under nitrogen-limited conditions |
2017 |
The University of Adelaide Graduate Centre |
GWR Ph1313 |
| Leah Macdonald |
Investigating Metal complexes in wine and their effect on sulfur species production. |
2017 |
University of New England |
GWR Ph1402 |
| Ee Lin Tek |
Inoculated mixed culture fermentations for enhanced wine quality and reliable fermentation |
2017 |
The University of Adelaide Graduate Centre |
GWR Ph1305 |
| Chien-Wei Huang |
The biochemical pathways behind in H2S generation by yeast |
2017 |
The University of Adelaide Graduate Centre |
GWR Ph1314 |
|
Rocco Longo |
Production of Lower Alcohol Wines |
2017 |
Charles Sturt University |
GWR Ph1406 |
| Jiao Jiang |
Isolation and characterisation of improved lactic acid bacteria strains for optimised malolactic fermentation performance |
2017 |
The University of Adelaide Graduate Centre |
GWR Ph1308 |
|
Joanna Gambetta |
Development of quality assessment tools for Chardonnay in relation to grape and wine composition |
2016 |
The University of Adelaide Graduate Centre |
GWR Ph1210 |
|
Ross Sanders |
Investigation of regional influences on varietal thiols concentrations in relation to the sensory properties of Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon wines |
2016 |
The University of Adelaide Undergraduate Scholarships Office |
AGW H1503 |
|
Anthony Hoare |
The effect of soil minerals on flavour and aroma compounds in Shiraz as an expression of terroir |
2016 |
The University of Adelaide Undergraduate Scholarships Office |
AGW H1504 |
|
Angela Sparrow |
Comparative analysis of wine tannins in Pinot noir grapes |
2015 |
The University of Tasmania |
GWR Ph1107 |
|
Sarah Hammond |
How does tannin and anthocyanin in the grapes relate to wine quality? |
2015 |
The University of Tasmania |
GWR H1304 |
|
Stuart Bloomfield |
Does the foliar application of silica affect vegetative growth, berry and wine quality, composition and sensory attributes when applied to Cabernet Sauvignon and Semillon vines |
2015 |
The University of Adelaide Undergraduate Scholarships Office |
GWR H1403 |
Sensory
|
Student |
Title |
Finish |
Research Organisation |
File Number |
| Natalja Ivanova | Understanding the sensory perception of ‘body’ in beer and wine | 2023 | University of Adelaide | WA Ph1906 |
| Lira Souza Gonzaga | Characterising the distinctive flavours of Australian Cabernet Sauvignon wines | 2022 | University of Adelaide | WA Ph1804 |
| Naomi Verdonk | Bursting the Bubble: Understanding Australian Consumer Preferences for Sparkling Wine Styles | 2021 | University of Adelaide | GWR Ph1309 |
|
Wenyu Kang |
Alternative technology to modify and measure wine astringency, taste and quality |
2020 |
The University of Adelaide Graduate Centre |
AGW Ph1605 |
|
Sijing Li |
Selective and deliberate use of winemaking supplements to modulate sensory properties of wine |
2018 |
The University of Adelaide Graduate Centre |
GWR Ph1312 |
|
Christopher Blackford |
Contribution of grape berry lipids to wine aroma |
2016 |
CSIRO Agriculture and Food |
GWR Ph1006 |
|
Jiaming Wang |
Comprehensive study of Australian Rosé wines: characterisation of chemical and sensory profiles |
2016 |
The University of Adelaide Graduate Centre |
GWR Ph1307 |
Wine business, consumers and marketing
|
Student |
Title |
Finish |
Research Organisation |
File Number |
| Praveen Kuppan | Phycosol- A Novel and Integrated approach for sustainable Winery wastewater Treatment for enhancing Circular Economy | University of Newcastle | WA Ph2103 | |
| Anahita Motamedisade | Photocatalytic treatment of winery wastewater using Au clusters deposited mesoporous TiO2 | 2024 | Flinders University | WA Ph2004 |
|
Marcell Kustos |
A cross cultural study of the impact of Australian wines of provenance and food pairings on the consumer gastronomic experience |
2020 |
The University of Adelaide Graduate Centre |
AGW Ph1507 |
|
Martin Hirche |
Measuring physical availability (distribution network) of alcoholic beverages categories in light of localisation trends in globalised markets |
2018 |
University of South Australia |
GWR Ph1404 |
|
Cristobal Onetto |
Improved treatment of winery wastewater through a detailed microbial population analysis |
2018 |
The University of Adelaide Graduate Centre |
GWR Ph1316 |
|
Yaelle Saltman |
Potential for natural flavour additives to improve the sensory properties and consumer acceptance of wine |
2016 |
The University of Adelaide Graduate Centre |
GWR Ph1102 |
|
Anna Crump |
Investigating consumers’ knowledge of and attitude towards different oak maturation regimes |
2015 |
The University of Adelaide Graduate Centre |
GWR Ph1101 |
|
Katherine Christ |
Environmental Management Accounting as a Medium for Improved Water Management in the Australian Wine Industry: An Empirical Analysis |
2015 |
University of South Australia |
GWR Ph1204 |
|
Ava Huang |
Price elasticity and choice of wine across price tiers |
2015 |
University of South Australia |
GWR M1202 |
|
Emma Marris |
Deliberate use of oak-derived winemaking supplements to modulate the sensory properties of Shiraz wine |
2015 |
The University of Adelaide Undergraduate Scholarships Office |
GWR H1402 |