South African Professor Christiaan Johannes Orffer (1926-2008) studied chemistry and viticulture at Stellenbosch University. In 1948 he started as a research assistant at the Western Province Research Station Stellenbosch in the department of table grapes and then as a staff member at the Stellenbosch-Elsenburg College of Agriculture. In 1954 he was enrolled at the University of California for his PhD. Orffer was now active with regard to grapevine breeding and initiated a special grafting process. He undertook study trips and visited Western European vineyards, wineries, research institutes and universities. From 1963 to 1986 he was Professor of Viticulture and Enology at Stellenbosch University and a founding member of the South African Society of Enology & Viticulture (SASEV).
In 1965 he undertook an extensive study tour to Europe, California and Australia to study grape varieties and their suitability for South Africa. This resulted in a recommendation for Chardonnay. Orffer was instrumental in the creation of new varieties and rootstocks suitable for the South African climate. These were the varieties Chenel, Grachen, Nouvelle, Roobernet, Therona Riesling and Weldra, as well as the rootstocks US 2-1, US 8-7, US 17, US 21, US 24, US 26 and US 41. Further study trips overseas followed regarding vine diseases caused by viruses. Orffer advised on the renaissance of the famous Constantia wine at the Klein Constantia vineyard. As a crowning achievement, he conducted research for the organic cultivation of vegetables, herbs, fruit trees and vines, as well as for the production of organic wine.
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