Grapevine Clonal ID

Summary

Objective

This project will beta-test a service to provide clonal identification for vineyard material, using the methodology developed in concurrent project AWR 2202-2.2.1: Genetic diversity of Australian wine grapevine germplasm.

The project will:

• Complete a controlled beta rollout of grapevine clonal identification on commercial samples of known origin
• Stress test the analysis pipeline
• Establish the market size and profile potential customers to validate the prototype
• Map and confirm the supply chain for a clonal identification service 
• Validate a financial model for service provision with customers.

Background

While grapevine cultivars can be typed by ampelography and/or genetic tests, grapevine clonal identification currently primarily relies on visual inspection of vine morphology and/or historical records. However, many clones are indistinguishable by eye from one another, and record-keeping errors can occur through the complex grapevine propagation process from initial source material through to commercial vineyards. Until now, there has been no definitive way to verify clones to ensure they are genetically true-to-type. Nurseries and growers have essentially had to propagate and purchase clonal material ‘on faith’, introducing supply chain risk.

Sector benefits

Enabling grapevine nurseries and vineyard owners to verify the authenticity of their clonal material with certainty will help ensure the integrity of new vineyard plantings. This will enhance vineyard productivity and overall quality and consistency of Australian wine, as producers can be assured that they are using the specific clones best suited to their sites and desired wine styles. The success of a national certified standard for propagation material, being developed within the National Grapevine Collection program, is reliant on knowing and continually ensuring what material we have available, as well as maintaining it as virus free.