Anita Oberholster, Vice-Chair and Cooperative Extension Specialist in Enology, joined the Department of Viticulture and Enology at UC Davis in 2011. Prior to UC Davis, she was a researcher and technical officer in the Department of Viticulture and Oenology at Stellenbosch University in South Africa. Dr. Oberholster received her Ph.D. in Wine Sciences at the University of Adelaide, in Australia and a Hons BS in Chemistry and a BS in Chemistry and Biochemistry from Stellenbosch University, in South Africa.  

In her current position, she focuses on continuing education for the grape and wine industry while her research program concentrates on current issues in the grape and wine industry. Her research includes the impact of climate on grape ripening and phenolic development, grapevine red blotch disease, and smoke exposure in the vineyard. Another major focus for Dr. Oberholster is the impact of different winemaking techniques on wine composition and quality. 

Anita has recently received the Extension Distinction Award from the American Society of Enology and Viticulture (ASEV), the Distinguished Service Award from the UC Davis Academic Federation, and the California Association of Winegrape Growers selected Anita as the Leader of the Year (2022).  In addition, Anita was recently elected to the ASEV Board’s Executive Committee as second vice-president.