Kerry Wilkinson

Professor Kerry Wilkinson

Professor

School of Agriculture, Food and Wine

Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.

Available For Media Comment.


Acclaimed Wine Scientist  Ι   Engaging Wine Educator   Ι   Sought-After Supervisor & Mentor  Ι   Aspiring Entomologist 

Professor Kerry Wilkinson holds several roles at the University of Adelaide. As Professor of Oenology, she leads a program of research spanning projects concerning the chemistry of grapes and wine: from Overcoming the impacts of vineyard exposure to smoke to Unlocking the potential for winemaking applications of membrane filtration (with funding from the Australian Research Council's Linkage and Industry Fellowship schemes, Wine Australia and industry). As Associate Head of School (Research), I help establish research initiatives such as the Advancement of Australian Lifestyle Wines (an industry-led CRC Project to innovate the production and marketing of no-and low-alcohol (NOLO) wines), the AgriFutures Insect Industry Program of Research (targeted RD&E activities to foster the sustainable growth of the emerging Australia insect industry), and the ARC Training Centre for Innovative Wine Production (a research program co-designed with industry to provide integrated solutions to new and old winemaking challenges). Professor Wilkinson welcomes enquiries from industry, academia, or prospective research staff or students (Honours, Masters and PhD) who are interested in any of the research programs detailed below.  


OVERCOMING THE IMPACTS OF VINEYARD EXPOSURE TO SMOKE


Vineyard exposure to bushfire smoke can taint grapes, causing significant revenue losses where smoky, ashy characters render wine unsaleable. Smoke taint therefore remains an ongoing threat to the viability of the wine industry. This project aims to safeguard grape and wine quality by building the wine industry’s capacity to predict, mitigate and respond to risk associated with vineyard smoke exposure. Research outcomes include establishing the mechanism by which smoke compounds are taken up by grapes and the factors that influence their sensory impact on wine; while the development of innovative strategies for detecting and alleviating smoke taint will deliver important economic benefits to the Australian wine sector.

Current Research Team: Dr Renata Ristic, Dr Julie Culbert, Ysadora Mirabelli-Montan (PhD)
 Tingting Shi (PhD), Song (Sai) Yan (PhD), WenWen (Maddy) Jiang (PhD)

Professor Kerry Wilkinson, Dr Julie Culbert, and winemaker, Alex Cassegrain (Cassegrain Wines), featured in two 
Australian Society for Viticulture and Oenology Grower, Maker, Researcher podcasts discussing smoke taint: 
Managing bushfire events and the impact of smoke on grapes and wine  &  Mitigation of smoke affected grapes

Recent findings: 
Heat shock proteins and glucosyltransferases are upregulated in grape berries following grapevine smoke exposure
Applying activated carbon fabric to the grapevine fruit-zone can prevent smoke contamination of grapes
Burning dry stubble under optimal weather conditions mitigates the risk of smoke taint arising from stubble burning


UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL FOR WINEMAKING APPLICATIONS OF MEMBRANE FILTRATION 


The methods currently used to achieve clarification and stabilisation of wine are slow, energy intensive, and waste wine. New methods that ‘finish’ wine rapidly, with higher recovery rates, and reduced waste and input costs are therefore needed. In partnership with VAF Memstar, this project aims to drive profitability in the Australian wine sector by accelerating the uptake of membrane filtration as an innovative alternative to unsustainable winemaking practices. A key driver of the success achieved by our wine industry has been the application of modern technology to an otherwise traditional product category. To remain successful, industry requires new knowledge, new technical solutions, and a well-educated workforce – these are key outcomes of this project.

Current Research Team: Dr Yiming Huo, Dr Yihe (Eva) Sui, Dario Martin (PhD)
Mona Moslemi (PhD), Wenqi Pan (PhD), Maya Lenko (Honours) 

Recent findings: 
The sensory perception of 'smoke taint' can be mitigated by ultrafiltration and adsorbent treatment of wine
The partitioning of wine macromolecules by ultrafiltration demonstrates winemaking applications of membrane filtration 


ADVANCEMENT OF AUSTRALIAN LIFESTYLE WINES


The Australian wine sector aims to be the leading global producer of ‘lifestyle wines’ – wines lower in alcohol and calories than traditional wines. To achieve this vision, industry-focused research is needed to produce, market and sell no- and low-alcohol (NOLO) wines that exceed consumer expectations. Led by Australian Vintage, this project leverages the resources and expertise of a consortium of industry stakeholders (from across the supply chain) and world-renowned researchers to address key NOLO winemaking challenges: microbial stability and shelf-life, flavour capture and re-use, mouthfeel and textural deficiencies, and the image of NOLO wine. This multi-faceted approach will deliver growth in global markets, and thus, economic benefits for the wine industry.

Current Research Team: Bingqi Shan (PhD)


AGRIFUTURES INSECT INDUSTRY PROGRAM OF RESEARCH


The primary objective of the Insect Industry Program of Research (PoR) is to foster the sustainable growth of the emerging Australian insect industry through targeted research, development, and extension activities. These endeavours will address critical barriers to scalability, encompassing technical, social, and regulatory challenges, to support the long-term growth and viability of the Australian insect industry. For example: the lack of industry-endorsed production guidelines hinders the success of new insect producers and access to venture capital; while state-based differences in regulatory practices creates complexity and increases the risk of non-compliance; and general public’s lack of awareness of the benefits of insects impedes industry’s social licence to operate. 

Current Research Team: Ishka Bless (PhD), Guanghui Li (PhD), 
Laura Mezei (Program Manager), Maureen Clark (Industry Liaison Officer), 

Recent findings: 
Australian dog owners are open to feeding their dogs diets comprising insect protein
A sensory lexicon was developed to describe and differentiate the edible insects available in Australia


AUSTRALIAN RESEARCH COUNCIL TRAINING CENTRE FOR INNOVATIVE WINE PRODUCTION


Australia’s grape and wine industry employs almost 70,000 people and generates $4 billion/year in sales. Yet profitability in some areas is low, The reasons include challenges to vineyards due to extreme weather events, soil salinity and diseases, while wineries rely on inefficient practices, a low level of technological innovation and high input costs. Through innovative, multi-disciplinary research, the ARC Training Centre for Innovative Wine Production has trained 4 postdoctoral fellows and 16 PhD candidates to deliver a suite of industry-led projects that boost Australia’s competitiveness as a supplier of sustainably-produced premium branded wine to the world. The Training Centre concludes in December 2025. Research outcomes are available online

In 2023, the Training Centre was a finalist for an SA Science Excellence and Innovation award.

  • Appointments

    Date Position Institution name
    2025 - ongoing ARC Industry Fellow The University of Adelaide
    2024 - ongoing Director AgriFutures Insect Industry Program of Research
    2023 - ongoing Director ARC Training Centre for Innovative Wine Production
    2023 - ongoing Associate Head of School (Research) The University of Adelaide
    2019 - ongoing Professor of Oenology The University of Adelaide
    2015 - 2018 Associate Professor of Oenology The University of Adelaide
    2012 - 2014 Senior Lecturer of Oenology The University of Adelaide
    2007 - 2011 Lecturer of Oenology The University of Adelaide
    2005 - 2007 Research Fellow (Wine Chemist) Curtin University
    2004 - 2005 Research Chemist Australian Water Quality Centre
  • Awards and Achievements

    Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
    2024 Research Award Best Oenology Paper, Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research Awarded by the Australian Society for Viticulture and Oenology Australia -
    2020 Teaching Award 2020 South Australian Science Excellence and Innovation Awards STEMM Educator of the Year South Australian Department of State Development Australia -
    2020 Teaching Award 2020 Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning Universities Australia Australia -
    2020 Research Award 2020 Australian Council of Graduate Research Award for Excellence in Graduate Research Supervision Australian Council of Graduate Research Australia -
    2019 Recognition 2019 Wine Industry Leader Wine Business Monthly United States -
    2018 Teaching Award Commendation for the Enhancement and Innovation of Student Learning The University of Adelaide Australia -
    2018 Teaching Award Best Wine Educator Award Wine Communicators of Australia Australia -
    2018 Teaching Award Australian University Agriculture Education Award for Excellence in Teaching Australian Council of Deans of Agriculture Australia -
    2015 Award Wine Communicators of Australia Best Wine Educator Award Wine Communicators of Australia Australia -
    2015 Award South Australian Interactive Media Excellence South Australian Interactive Media Excellence Australia -
    2013 Teaching Award 2013 Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning Office of Learning and Teaching Australia -
    2012 Teaching Award Stephen Cole the Elder Award for Excellence in Teaching (Early Career) The University of Adelaide Australia -
    2012 Research Award 2012 South Australian Young Tall Poppy Science Award Australian Institute of Policy and Science Australia -
    2010 Teaching Award Excellence in Education Award The University of Adelaide Australia -
    2006 Research Award 2006 Science and Innovation Award for Young People in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Australia $10,000
  • Education

    Date Institution name Country Title
    2012 - 2013 The University of Adelaide Australia Graduate Certificate in Online Education
    2008 - 2009 The University of Adelaide Australia Graduate Certificate in Higher Education
    2000 - 2004 Flinders University Australia Ph.D.
    1999 Flinders University Australia BSc. (Honours)
    1995 - 1998 Flinders University Australia BSc.
  • Certifications

    Date Title Institution name Country
    2015 Certificate III in Media Radio Adelaide Australia
  • Research Interests

RESEARCH FUNDING (* as lead CI)

ARC Industry Fellowship (IM240100133, 2025–2028, $1,117,924) 
*Unlocking the potential for winemaking applications of membrane filtration
Industry partners: VAF Memstar, The Australian Wine Research Institute, Yalumba Wine Company

AgriFutures (2025–2029, $2,000,000) 
*Insect Industry Program of Research
Industry partners: Insect Protein Association of Australia, Circle Harvest, GoTerra, Bardee, Veridian Technologies, arvela

CRC Project (CRCPIX000220, 2024–2027, $2,997,599)
Advancement of Australian Lifestyle Wines
Industry partners: Australian Vintage Limited, Flavourtech, Tarac, Yalumba Wine Company, Treasury Wine Estates, Danstar Ferments, Mauri Yeast, Christian Hansen, Drinkwise Australia, The Australian Wine Research Institute 

ARC Linkage Project (LP210200715, 2023–2026, $511,205)
*Solving smoke taint: Overcoming the impacts of vineyard exposure to smoke
Industry partners: The Australian Wine Research Institute, Australian Vintage Limited, Accolade, E&J Gallo Winery, Peter Micheal Winery, Laffort Australia, Compolytics, Attentis Technologies

CRC Project (CRCPIX000220, 2020–2023, $950,000)
Mitigating taint in wine due to vineyard exposure to bushfire smoke
Industry partners: Cassegrain Wines, VAF Memstar, amaea, The Australian Wine Research Institute

Department of Primary Industries and Regions (2020–2022, $100,000)
*Novel strategies for amelioration of smoke taint
Industry partners: Australian Vintage Limited, Laffort Australia

Department of Primary Industries and Regions (2019–2021, $60,000)
*Assessing the impact of smoke from stubble burning on grapes and wine

ARC Training Centre for Innovative Wine Production (IC170100008, 2018–2025, $4,907,172)
Innovative Wine Production: Responding to climate, water, market and economic challenges
Industry partners: CSIRO, NSW DPI, AGRF, The Australian Wine Research Institute, Coonawarra Grape and Wine Industry, Chalmers Wines, VAF Memstar, E & J Gallo Winery, Pernod Ricard

ARC Training Centre for Innovative Wine Production (IC130100005, 2014–2017, $2,404,000)
Innovative Wine Production: Managing flavour and alcohol content in Australian wine
Industry partners: Tarac, CSIRO, NSW DPI, SARDI, The Australian Wine Research Institute, Laffort Australia, 
VAF Memstar, Lowe Wines, Treasury Wine Estates

Office for Learning and Teaching (SD13-3390, 2014–2015, $48,000) 
*Development of a smartphone application as an e-learning tool for wine sensory evaluation

Wine Australia (UA1205, 2013–2016, $460,000) 
*Objective measures of Australian sparkling wine style and quality

ARC LIEF (LE110100119, 2011, $370,000) 
*Advanced GC-MS instrumentation for the analysis of highly complex systems

ARC Linkage Project (LP0989138, 2009–2012, $247,662) 
*The impact of vineyard smoke exposure on vine physiology and the composition of grapes and wine
Industry partners: The Australian Wine Industry, Yalumba Wine Company, Treasury Wine Estates, Brown Brothers

Australian Grape and Wine Association (2008–2009, $18,150) 
*Amelioration of smoke derived taint in wine by membrane filtration and solid phase adsorption
Industry partners; VAF Memstar

CURRENT TEACHING RESPONSIBILITIES
Course Coordinator for Foundations of Wine Science                                                (2025–current)

PREVIOUS TEACHING RESPONSIBILITIES
Course Coordinator and lecturer for Foundations of Wine Science                              (2008–2024)
Course Coordinator and lecturer for The Australian Wine Industry: Rise of an Icon        (2010–2024)
Course Coordinator and lecturer for Grape and Wine Production                                (2014–2022)
Course Coordinator and lecturer for Vineyard and Winery Operations                          (2008–2013)

Program Coordinator for the Master of Viticulture and Oenology                                  (2018–2024)
Honours Coordinator for the School of Agriculture, Food and Wine                              (2010–2014)

Course Chair for Wine101x: World of Wine: From Grape and Glass MOOC               (2015–2025)
Facilitator for MOOC (2015) and e-Learning (2016&2017) Communities of Practice

  • Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2025 Principal Supervisor Novel uses of retentate derived from membrane filtration of wine Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Dario Alonso Martin Gordo
    2025 Principal Supervisor Improving public perceptions of insects and the benefits they offer. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Guanghui Li
    2025 Principal Supervisor Evaluating Electrodialysis as an Alternative Approach to Tartrate Stabilization of White Wine Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Mona Moslemi
    2025 Co-Supervisor Investigating the impact of spinning cone column dealcoholisation processes on wine flavour Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Bingqi Shan
    2025 Principal Supervisor Analytics for winemaking applications of membrane filtration Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Wenqi Pan
    2023 Principal Supervisor Assessment of rapid detection methods for identifying smoke taint in grape juice. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ysadora Ashton Mirabelli-Montan
    2023 Principal Supervisor Transcription profiling of glycosyltransferases following grapevine smoke exposure Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Miss Wenwen Jiang
    2023 Principal Supervisor Remediation of taint arising from vineyard exposure to bushfire smoke Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Song Yan
    2022 Principal Supervisor Use of Activated Carbon Fabric to Mitigate Smoke Taint in Grapes and Wine Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Tingting Shi
    2021 Principal Supervisor Everyday entomophagy: An investigation into pathways for accelerated adoption of edible insects in Western food cultures Doctor of Philosophy under a Jointly-awarded Degree Agreement with Doctorate Full Time Miss Ishka Nicole Bless
  • Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2023 - 2024 Co-Supervisor Cold plasma-induced quality changes in foods and beverages and plasma’s potential use in space exploration Doctor of Philosophy under a Jointly-awarded Degree Agreement with Doctorate Full Time Mr George Robert Warne
    2021 - 2024 Principal Supervisor Mitigating Taint in Wine Due to Vineyard Exposure to Bushfire Smoke Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Yiming Huo
    2020 - 2024 Principal Supervisor Evaluating Winemaking Applications of Ultrafiltration Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Stephanie Angela
    2019 - 2023 Co-Supervisor Vetch as a New Protein Source for the Human Diet Doctor of Philosophy under a Jointly-awarded Degree Agreement with Doctorate Full Time Mr Samuel Arthur George Riley
    2018 - 2022 Principal Supervisor Use of Membrane Ultrafiltration for Wine Stabilisation and Clarification Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Yihe Sui
    2018 - 2022 Co-Supervisor The Sugar/Flavour Nexus in Grapes: Uncovering Its Identity and Relevance for Industry Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Pietro Previtali
    2018 - 2022 Principal Supervisor Evaluating Diagnostics and Mitigation of Smoke Exposure in Grapes and Wine Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Colleen Szeto
    2018 - 2023 Co-Supervisor Understanding consumer sensory perception of beer and wine body Doctor of Philosophy under a Jointly-awarded Degree Agreement with Doctorate Full Time Ms Natalja Ivanova
    2017 - 2019 Principal Supervisor Exploration of Using Cyclodextrins as Novel Additives and Fining Agents in Wine Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Chao Dang
    2016 - 2016 Principal Supervisor Defining the Impact of Flavour Interactions in Protein Based Food Matrices Master of Philosophy Master Part Time Mrs Jessica Louise Sanderson
    2016 - 2021 Principal Supervisor Development of Flash Détente Applications for Impacting Red Wine Style and for Production of Colour Stable Red Wines and Concentrate Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Richard Gondai Ntuli
    2016 - 2021 Co-Supervisor Biological Solutions to 3-Isobutyl-2-Methoxypyrazine Remediation in Wine Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Jin-Chen Li
    2014 - 2018 Principal Supervisor Selective Use of Winemaking Supplements to Modulate the Chemical Composition and Sensory Properties of Shiraz Wine Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Sijing Li
    2014 - 2018 Principal Supervisor The Analysis of Grapevine Response to Smoke Exposure Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Lieke Van Der Hulst
    2014 - 2020 Principal Supervisor Getting Alcohol Content Right: The Compositional and Sensory Basis for the Alcohol Sweetspot Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Duc-Truc Pham
    2013 - 2021 Principal Supervisor Bursting the Bubble: Understanding Australian Consumer Preferences for Sparkling Wine Styles Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Dr Naomi Verdonk
    2012 - 2016 Co-Supervisor Comprehensive Study of Australian Rose Wines: Characterisation of Chemical and Sensory Profiles Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Jiaming Wang
    2011 - 2017 Co-Supervisor Potential for Natural Flavour Additives to Improve the Sensory Properties and Consumer Acceptance of Wine Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Yaelle Saltman
    2010 - 2014 Co-Supervisor Almond (Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb) Fatty Acids and Tocopherols _ Under Different Conditions Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Ying Zhu
    2010 - 2015 Co-Supervisor A multipronged approach to encouraging proline utilisation by wine yeast Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Danfeng Long
    2009 - 2012 Principal Supervisor Factors Affecting the Levels of 3 Isobutyl 2 Methoxpyrazine and C6 Compounds in Vitis Vinifera L Merlot Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Martin Pablo Mendez Costabel
    2009 - 2015 Principal Supervisor Alternatives to Oak Barrel Maturation: Influence on Composition, Sensory Properties and Consumer Acceptance of Wine. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Anna Marie Crump
    2008 - 2015 Principal Supervisor Analysis and Amelioration of Smoke Taint in Wine Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Anthea Fudge
    2008 - 2011 Principal Supervisor Smoke Taint: Impacts on the Chemical and Microbiological Profile of Grapes and Wine Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mrs Kerry Anita Pinchbeck
    2008 - 2012 Principal Supervisor Condensed Tannin and Cell Wall Composition in Wine Grapes: Influence on Tannin Extraction from Grapes into Wine Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Rachel Hanlin
  • Position: Professor
  • Phone: 83137360
  • Email: kerry.wilkinson@adelaide.edu.au
  • Campus: Waite
  • Building: Wine Innovation Central, floor 4
  • Org Unit: Agricultural Science

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