The breeding and use of disease resistant varieties (DRV) has been underway for over 150 years but has had a chequered past. During the 20th century, grapevine breeding in Italy, France and Germany produced a range of DRVs that have similar organoleptic attributes of their Vitis vinifera parents coupled with genetic resistance from other Vitis species to the key vine pathogens, powdery and downy mildew.
Growing pressure from regulators to reduce pesticide use in vineyards coupled with increasing awareness by consumers has producers around the world looking closely at the development of DRV. With the first DRV now registered for use in a French AOC (Voltis in Champagne), the potential for DRV in New Zealand is being recognised as they have the potential to reduce costs and environmental impacts of vineyards while building on the sustainability practices of the New Zealand industry.
This presentation was at Grape Days Marlborough, 2024.