In a step forward for Australian viticulture, the Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI) is set to launch a DNA-based grapevine clonal identification service, offering winegrape producers’ greater certainty and flexibility in the clonal identification process.
This will be an Australian industry first for access to such advanced genomic analysis tools, bringing greater accuracy and confidence to a task reliant on visual assessments, anecdotal history, or paperwork.
It works with high-resolution DNA analysis performed on grapevine samples and interpreted using advanced bioinformatics.
This delivers accurate clonal identification against a verified reference database. Customers will then receive a report showing the most likely clonal match.
Dr Anthony Borneman, AWRI Research Manager Molecular Biology, said the new service will significantly improve efficiency and reduce misidentification.
“Clone misidentification can have long-term impacts on wine style, yield, and disease resistance, but it often can’t be definitively determined until years after planting, if at all. With this new service, Australian growers, nurseries, and wine businesses can prevent costly mistakes before they happen,” he said.
Developed by the AWRI with levy funding support through Wine Australia, the new service will be offered via the organisation’s commercial arm, Affinity Labs.
Wine businesses, vine improvement groups, and nurseries will be able to submit vine tissue samples and receive a detailed report identifying the most likely clonal match, and a confidence rating for the result.
Borneman added: “Whether you’re planting, checking source material, or investigating why a vineyard isn’t performing as expected – knowing your vine’s clonal ID enables you to protect grapevine value, manage quality, and plan with confidence.”
The service will initially support clonal identification for Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Riesling, with further varieties to be added in the future.
Wine businesses sourcing or verifying planting material and nurseries looking to back up clone claims will benefit from this service.
In addition to growers investigating block variation or underperformance, viticulturists and researchers validating trial blocks or heritage material and vine improvement groups confirming the identity and integrity of propagation material in regional collections.
The AWRI is currently inviting expressions of interest from wine businesses and nurseries interested in participating in a trial of the service ahead of its full commercial release.