Southern University Students Cultivate Grapes for Winemaking

Jaguars learn viticulture skills in university's working vineyard program

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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Southern University in Baton Rouge has established a viticulture program where students get hands-on experience growing grapes that will eventually be used to produce wine. The program, started in 2020 by Dr. Devaiah Kambiranda, currently has 34 varieties of muscadine grapes and 14 different cultivars of French hybrid and American hybrid grapes. While the growing season runs from March through September, students are currently preparing the vines by watering, cleaning, and ensuring the plants are pest-free.

Why it matters

The viticulture program at Southern University provides students with valuable agricultural and winemaking skills, allowing them to gain practical experience in an industry that is growing in Louisiana. The program also helps support the local wine industry by cultivating new grape varieties that can thrive in the region's climate.

The details

The Southern University vineyard was established in 2020 by Dr. Devaiah Kambiranda, who started with muscadine and hybrid grape varieties. The program now has 34 different muscadine cultivars and 14 French hybrid and American hybrid grape cultivars. While the growing season runs from March through September, students are currently maintaining the vines by watering, cleaning, and monitoring for pests to ensure the plants are healthy and ready for the upcoming season.

  • The Southern University viticulture program was established in 2020.
  • The growing season for the grapes runs from March through September.

The players

Dr. Devaiah Kambiranda

The professor who established the Southern University viticulture program in 2020.

Joshua Reason

The enologist who oversees the Southern University vineyard and viticulture program.

Damien Gardiner

An undergraduate research assistant working in the Southern University viticulture program.

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What they’re saying

“The vineyard was established in 2020 by Dr. Devaiah Kambiranda. He started off with muscadines and hybrid grapes. Now we have 34 varieties of cultivars of muscadines and we have 14 different cultivars of French hybrid and American hybrid grapes.”

— Joshua Reason, Enologist (wbrz.com)

“We're just watering and cleaning up, making sure that all the plants are not getting any pest damage, just making sure things are going in the right direction.”

— Damien Gardiner, Undergraduate Research Assistant (wbrz.com)

What’s next

The Southern University viticulture program will begin its growing season in March, when students will actively cultivate the grape vines and prepare for the upcoming harvest.

The takeaway

The viticulture program at Southern University provides students with hands-on experience in an emerging agricultural industry in Louisiana, helping to support the local wine economy and develop new grape varieties suited to the region's climate.