Delivering high value to the Australian wine industry through world-class research and integrated solutions.

The Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI) was established on 27 April 1955, and is located on the Waite Precinct in Urrbrae, South Australia (20 minutes south-east of Adelaide by car). The decision to locate the AWRI's buildings on the Precinct showed great vision as the AWRI is now part of an internationally-recognised research cluster.

The AWRI's Board is comprised of six members elected by the Australian wineries and grapegrowers who pay The Wine Grapes Levy and The Grape Research Levy; the Managing Director of the AWRI (ex-officio), a representative from The University of Adelaide and two 'Special Qualification Directors'. The AWRI's activities are mainly funded by Australian winemakers and grapegrowers, through the investment body the Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation (GWRDC), with matching funding from the Australian government.

The development of research projects at the AWRI are guided by the AWRI's industry-led Board; with reference to the GWRDC's Five Year Plan; in consultation with industry reference groups (such as the R&D Strategic Directions Group [WFA]); and aligned with the National Research Priorities of the Australian government. Research projects at the AWRI are subject to external review by the GWRDC.

Purpose, mission, vision and values

AWRI's purpose is to contribute substantially in a measurable way to the ongoing success of the Australian wine industry.

AWRI is resolute in its vision to deliver high value to the Australian wine industry through world-class research and integrated solutions and to provide thought leadership to the research activities of the Australian wine industry.

The mission is to underpin that world-class research and integrated solutions with

• a tenacious pursuit of understanding;
• the development of a unique, extensive and usable knowledge base; and
• a focus on contributing substantially to stakeholders achieving their needs.

AWRI's values provide guidance in how it will deliver on its mission. These values are:

• scientific integrity and excellence;
• a culture of delivering results;
• internally and externally collaborative;
• accountability and transparency; and
• focused on the Australian wine industry and industry driven.

In summary, AWRI will, in a measurable way, contribute substantially to the ongoing success of the Australian wine industry and it is resolute in delivering high value to the Australian wine industry through world-class research and integrated solutions.

Functions

The AWRI has four basic functions:

• Undertaking research into wine composition, quality and sensory characteristics, and communicating the results;
• Industry development and support;
• Providing commercial analytical services, including transferring research outcomes to practice via a commercial Analytical Service; and
• Coordinating knowledge-dissemination activities, including collection, collation and dissemination of oenology and viticultural research for the benefit of the Australian wine industry

The AWRI works exclusively for the benefit of the Australian wine industry, and supports the industry in the following manner:

• Undertakes strategic and applied research of the chemical, microbiological, molecular and sensory aspects of winemaking.
• Provides an industry development and support service, which involves:
  • A problem-solving service - responding to more than 1,500 enquiries per year
  • Expert advice on Quality Management issues
  • Collation and dissemination of information on wine and health issues
  • Collation and dissemination of information on environmental issues pertaining to the Australian wine industry
  • Assistance with regulatory matters
  • Roadshow visits to regions: conducting seminars and workshops
  • A technical information service (personal and electronic) provided by the John Fornachon Memorial Library - which houses the Southern Hemisphere's largest collection of wine technical literature
  • Production and distribution of a bi-monthly publication Technical Review which provides information on the latest published information relevant to grapegrowers and winemakers
  • An email bulletin service, advising of changes to agrochemical uses/registrations and other topical technical issues
  • Planning and conduct of Australia's premier technical event: the triennial Australian Wine Industry Technical Conference and Trade Exhibition
  • Production and distribution of an annual report to industry
  • Annual production and distribution of a booklet on agrochemicals permitted for use in Australian viticulture, and advice on maximum residue limits in Australian wine. An updated supporting section on agrochemicals is featured on the AWRI website
  • Conduct of the Advanced Wine Assessment Course
  • A self-help diagnostic service on the AWRI website on hazes and deposits and microbiological instabilities
  • Advice on establishing a testing laboratory
• Provides a commercial NATA-accredited Analytical Service that accelerates the practical application of research outcomes in the Australian wine industry (including over 100,000 datapoints each year); provides method and trouble-shooting advice; and assists with export analysis and procedures.
• Publication of over 850 papers and articles
• Supervises post-graduate students, and provides lectures to under-graduate students.

The organisations co-located on the Waite Precinct with the AWRI includes:

• Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics (APFG) (http://www.acpfg.com.au/)
• Australian Genome Research Facility (AGFR) (http://www.agrf.org.au/)
• Australian Grain Technologies (AGT) (http://www.agwine.adelaide.edu.au/research/agt/)
• Australian Wheat Management
• The Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI)
• BiometricsSA (http://www.biometricssa.adelaide.edu.au/)
• CRC for Molecular Plant Breeding (http://www.molecularplantbreeding.com/)
• CRC for Plant Based Management of Dryland Salinity (http://www1.crcsalinity.com/)
• CRC for Viticulture (http://www.crcv.com.au/)
• CSIRO Land and Water (http://www.clw.csiro.au/)
• CSIRO Mathematical and Information Sciences (http://www.cmis.csiro.au/)
• CSIRO Plant Industry (http://www.pi.csiro.au/)
• Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation (DWLBC) (http://www.dwlbc.sa.gov.au/)
• Primary Industries and Resources South Australia (PIRSA) (http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/index.shtml)
• Provisor (http://www.provisor.com.au)
• South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) (http://www.sardi.sa.gov.au/)
• The University of Adelaide - School of Agriculture and Wine (http://www.agwine.adelaide.edu.au/)
• The University of Adelaide - School of Earth and Environmental Sciences (http://www.ees.adelaide.edu.au/)