Staff

Bruce Zoecklein

Bruce Zoecklein is a Professor and Enology Specialist, Department of Food Science and Technology at Virginia Tech working in a research, extension and teaching capacity. He holds a BS degree in Microbiology and Biochemistry, a MS in Horticulture and a PhD in Food Science.

He is a member of the Board of Editors of the Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, the Journal of the American Society for Enology and Viticulture and a contributing editor for Practical Winery and Vineyard. Bruce is also the regional coordinator for AVERN (American Viticulture and Enology Research Network) and a coauthor of two books on wine chemistry and analysis. (Zoecklein, B.W., K.C. Fugelsand, and B.H. Gump. 1995. Wine Analysis and Production. Chapman & Hall, New York, NY. 570 pp. Zoecklein, B.W., K.C. Fugelsand, B.H. Gump, and S.F. Nury. 1990. Production Wine Analysis. Van Nostrand and Reinhold, New York, NY. 445 pp.) His research efforts involve the effects of vineyard management and processing on grape aroma and flavor precursors. He is a director of the American Society for Enology and Viticulture-Eastern Section where he has served as a regional meeting, publicity and nominations chairman. Email:

Sandy Birkenmaier Laboratory Assistant

Sandy Birkenmaier came to Virginia Tech in the mid-1970s for a degree in Biochemistry, and never left. After 21 years with the University, most recently a 14-year stint with the College of Veterinary Medicine, she joined the Department of Food Science and Technology in April 2001. Sheworks with the Enology-Grape Chemistry Group, primarily doing research and editorial miscellany.

Sandy lives in Riner, Virginia, just outside of Pilot, with her husband, Ralph Birkenmaier, on 19 acres of gardens, meadows, woods, and streams. She has two sons, Emerson and Austin Brown. She also tries to keep up with a dog, two cats, a gecko, fish, ducks, pigeons, and wild birds that have become accustomed to pampering. She's trying to find the time and energy to do more international folk dancing, which she's taught most of her life. E-mail:

Lisa joined the Wine/Enology-Grape Chemistry Group as a Research Associate in September 2002. Her primary responsibilities include participation in and initiation of research efforts pertinent to Virginia's grape growers and wine industries, particularly in the area of natural products chemistry.

Lisa received a B.S. in Biology from The College of William and Mary in 1996 and an M.S. in Immunology from Virginia Tech in 2002.

Lisa lives in Blacksburg with her husband, Philippe, and their two cats, Cassidy and Sophie. E-mail:

Ken joined the Wine/Enology Grape Chemistry Group to start the Enology Analytical Service Laboratory at Virginia Tech. He came to Virginia Tech as an undergraduate to study Chemistry and Psychology. Ken graduated with an M.S. in Biochemistry from Virginia Tech in 2005. Ken lives in Radford with his dog Sophia Rae. You can reach Ken at or, via the lab at:

Room 113,
FST Building
Virginia Tech 0418
Blacksburg, VA 24061
Phone: 540-231-8690
Email:

The Enology Service Lab website can be found on our site. Look to the right in the table of contents bar and under Enology Service Lab.