Bragato Research Institute

This week we had the pleasure of welcoming Nicola Grigg, MP for Selwyn to our Grapevine Improvement Lab and Clone Selection Vineyard at Lincoln University. The Minister visited to learn more about the work of BRI's Grapevine Improvement Programme, which is focussed on enhancing grapevine performance and resilience, and to see some of the first new vines to be produced by the Sauvignon Blanc 2.0 Programme. Find out more about the Grapevine Improvement Programme here: https://bit.ly/4bLRez1 #nzwine #wine #research #innovation

On the eve of the 2025 grape harvest in Marlborough, New Zealand Winegrowers spent a day with the Primary Production Select Committee and Stuart Smith, MP for Kaikoura. Our hosts included Bragato Research Institute's research winery, Delegat Limited, Indevin Group, and WineWorks; each showcasing the wine industry's commitment to research, quality, productivity, innovation, and sustainability. The visit also gave the Committee an insight into the different processes that are used to package New Zealand's wine for export to over 100 countries. We appreciate the opportunity to host you in our largest wine region, thank you to Mark Cameron, Miles Anderson, Steve Abel, Mike Butterick, Jo Luxton, Suze Redmayne, and Cushla Tangaere-Manuel for spending the day with us.

Yesterday we were honoured to attend the Women in Food & Drink New Zealand Awards which celebrated the most influential and inspiring women in New Zealand’s food and drink industry, including Cuisine’s list of ‘Aotearoa New Zealand's Most Influential & Inspiring Women In Food & Drink 2025’. Our very own Dr Juliet Ansell was nominated for the Massey University Woman in Food Science and Technology Award, which recognises individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and innovation in the food science and technology industry. It’s a pleasure to see several women of New Zealand wine featured on the 2025 list. Jane De Witt (Lion), Sarah-Kate Dineen (Maude Wines), Siobhan Wilson (Marisco Vineyards Ltd.), Erin Lawron-McKenzie (The Runholder), and New Zealand Wine's Leadership & Communities Manager Nicky Grandorge are there amongst good company. Read more about these inspiring women here: https://bit.ly/41LVGud Happy International Women’s Day! #nzwine

The first grapes of the season have arrived at the BRI Research Winery, marking the start of another exciting vintage! The team is excited to be conducting trials for both commercial clients and industry projects. The BRI Research Winery's receival process looks a little different from most wineries - our 17L tanks only require 30kg of whole cluster grapes. If you are interested in conducting a trial, get in touch. All the best to everyone for Vintage 2025!

Powdery mildew is a persistent problem for grape growers worldwide. Untreated, it can cause significant loss as even minor infections of berries can have a detrimental effect on wine quality. To manage powdery mildew, growers use a combination of traditional fungicides as well as modern, targeted options, however the powdery mildew pathogen is highly adaptable and can quickly develop genetic variants to survive fungicide application. A new research project, with the collaboration of scientists from Bragato Research Institute and Plant & Food Research, aims to develop a molecular diagnostic tool to detect fungicide-resistant powdery mildew in New Zealand’s vineyards. Read more here: https://bit.ly/3CXBD2J #nzwine #wine #research #powderymildew #winemaking

The aim to make exceptional wines with reduced alcohol content can present a challenge, but for those looking to explore this avenue, BRI is equipped to offer reduced alcohol winemaking trials with the addition of a new benchtop dealcoholisation machine in its Marlborough-based Research Winery. The unit (produced by Juclas) utilises a cutting-edge inert polymer membrane specifically developed to remove alcohol without affecting colour, flavour or tannin structure. Find out more at: https://lnkd.in/gyFgeNNf #nzwine #winery #wine #research #innovation #alcohol

Curious about how we run winery trials at BRI? From BRI's Research Winery we partner with wineries, universities and polytechnics, Crown Research Institutes and more, to help shape the national wine research agenda. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4hy7FB6 #nzwine #wine #research #innovation #winery

Next Generation Viticulture (NGV) is a seven-year programme which aims to improve the financial sustainability of winegrowers’ businesses and future-proof the wine industry. Yesterday, BRI’s NGV team hosted a workshop to share updates from year one of the programme and provide an in-field demonstration of the training and canopy management systems being trialled. Stay tuned for our winter NGV workshop which will examine trellis and canopy system establishment and pruning techniques. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3CPBBcO #nzwine #wine #research #innovation

Long-spur pruning has shown promise as an alternative to the more commonly used cane pruning for Sauvignon blanc. It has the potential be more cost-effective, with less labour required to produce a similar yield and quality. Last week BRI hosted a workshop in Napier, Hawke's Bay following the completion of a three-year trial and the initiation of trials on other varieties, examining in-season vineyard management practices that utilise the long-spur pruning training system. It was an opportunity to learn and discuss with researchers and practitioners how the in-season management of this system differs to a conventional 3-4 cane VSP system, and to discuss the pros and cons of this system and the experience of growers. Learn more and watch a video about the project here: https://bit.ly/4hH6oYk #wine #research #innovation #nzwine

Use of ultraviolet light technology to reduce fungicide dependency in wine grapes is attracting strong interest from industry. In partnership with A Lighter Touch (New Zealand) and Agri Automation (NZ) Ltd, BRI is exploring how UV-C light could help grape growers manage powdery mildew more sustainably, by demonstrating the benefits of this technology in New Zealand vineyards. This week BRI hosted a workshop at Whitehaven Wine Company in Marlborough which provided attendees with an overview of the project and a practical in-field demonstration. It was fantastic to see so many industry professionals engaging with the project and showing their support. Catch a glimpse of the project in action by watching the video: https://bit.ly/4hBdehX #nzwine #wine #research #wineinnovation #sustainability