To view information about projects in the AWRI’s previous RD&E Plan (2013-2017), click here.
To download the final reports for Wine Australia-funded projects in the previous RD&E plan, click here (8MB PDF download)
AWRI Research, Development and Extension Plan 2017-2025
Projects | Project Contacts | Status | |
Theme 1: Customers, consumers and markets | |||
1.1 Improving understanding of customers and consumers | 1.1.1 Increasing efficiency and speed of sensory methodology | Leigh Francis | Active in 3.1.1 |
1.2 Informing stakeholders about health and safety aspects of wine | 1.2.1 Informing government, producers and consumers about health and safety aspects of wine | N/A | Inactive |
1.3 Supporting market access, safety and regulation | 1.3.1 Supporting market access, safety and regulation | Eric Wilkes, Markus Herderich | Active |
1.4 Enhancing and protecting the reputation of Australian wine | 1.4.1 Enhancing the reputation of Australian wine through market promotion activities | Con Simos | Active |
1.5 Supporting best practice agrochemical use in Australian viticulture | 1.5.1 Collecting and disseminating information on agrochemicals | Marcel Essling | Active |
1.6 Preserving quality and integrity | 1.6.1 Understanding, modelling and managing temperature impacts during wine transportation | Simon Nordestgaard, Eric Wilkes | Inactive |
Theme 2: Extension, adoption and education | |||
2.1 Facilitating awareness and adoption of research outcomes | 2.1.1 The staging and conduct of extension programs | Con Simos, Matt Holdstock | Active |
2.1.2 Communication with stakeholders | Ella Robinson | Active | |
2.1.3 Development of digital extension tools and software | Linda Bevin | Active | |
2.1.4 Regional engagement – the AWRI Victorian node | Mark Krstic | Active | |
2.2 Supporting stakeholder technical needs | 2.2.1 AWRI helpdesk | Con Simos, Geoff Cowey | Active |
2.2.2 Library services | Michael Downie | Active | |
2.2.3 Regional Program | Mark Krstic | Active | |
2.2.4 Emergency response capability | Con Simos, Adrian Coulter | On hold | |
Theme 3: Performance, products and processes | |||
3.1 Improving products, processes and packaging | 3.1.1 Identification and control of volatile compounds responsible for important sensory attributes | Leigh Francis | Active |
3.1.2 Using glycosides and other flavour precursors for improved wine flavour | Josh Hixson, Mango Parker | Active | |
3.1.3 Molecular drivers of wine texture and taste | Richard Gawel and Keren Bindon | Active | |
3.1.4 Managing wine extraction, retention, clarity and stability for defined styles and efficient production | Keren Bindon | Active | |
3.1.5 Influencing wine style and efficiency through management of oxygen during wine production | Simon Schmidt | Active | |
3.1.6 Winemaking interventions to modulate glutathione status | Simon Schmidt | Active | |
3.1.7 Independent trials or novel equipment and additives to facilitate informed adoption | Simon Nordestgaard | Active in 2.2.1 | |
3.2 Understanding fermentation for uniqueness and improved performance | 3.2.1 Putting microbial diversity to work in shaping wine style | Simon Schmidt, Anthony Borneman | Active |
3.2.2 The relationship between grape juice composition and the progress of alcoholic and malolactic fermentation | Simon Schmidt | Active | |
3.2.3 Management and optimisation of the AWRI Wine Microorganism Culture Collection | Angus Forgan | Active | |
3.3 Providing objective measures of grape grading and wine style | 3.3.1 Objective measures of quality and provenance in Australian vineyards | Keren Bindon | Active |
3.3.2 Digital solutions for grape quality measurement and management | Markus Herderich | Completed | |
3.4 Minimising taints and faults | 3.4.1 Understanding Brettanomyces and its adaptation to control measures | Anthony Borneman, Cristian Varela | Active |
3.4.2 Formation and fate of sulfur compounds associated with negative attributes in wine | Marlize Bekker | Active | |
3.4.3 Mitigation of climate change impacts on the national wine industry by reduction in losses from controlled burns and wildfires and improvement in public land management | Markus Herderich, Mark Krstic | Active | |
Theme 4: Environment, sustainability and natural capital | |||
4.1 Adapting to climate challenges | 4.1.1 Managing the impact of vintage advancement and compression | Keren Bindon | Active |
4.2 Improving environmental performance | 4.2.1 Supporting the sustainability of grape and wine businesses and Australia’s sustainability credentials | Mardi Longbottom | Active |
4.3 Understanding Australia’s grapevine resources | 4.3.1 Characterising genomic diversity in Australia’s grapevine germplasm | Anthony Borneman, Simon Schmidt | Inactive |
4.4 Understanding grape and wine provenance and quality | 4.4.1 Defining regional variability and uniqueness of premium Australian Shiraz | Leigh Francis | Active |
4.4.2 Development of tools to verify origin and varietal nature of wines | Eric Wilkes | Active | |
4.4.3 Bioprospecting Australian microbial genetic diversity | Anthony Borneman, Cristian Varela | Active | |
4.4.4 Rotundone and its role in defining terroir in iconic Australian cool climate ‘peppery’ Shiraz | Markus Herderich, Mark Krstic | Active | |
4.5 Delivering effective biosecurity, pest and disease management | 4.5.1 Understanding the basis of agrochemical resistance in biotrophic grapevine pathogens | Anthony Borneman, Michael Roach | Active |
4.5.2 Viticulture biosecurity support | Mardi Longbottom | Completed | |
Theme 5: Foundational data and support services | |||
5.1 Providing efficient administration and management | 5.1.1 Efficient administration | Chris Day | Active |
5.1.2 Information and knowledge management | Linda Bevin | Active | |
5.2 Delivering research support and accredited analytical services | 5.2.1 Commercial Services | Eric Wilkes | Active |
5.2.2 Research services | Leigh Francis, Angus Forgan | Active | |
5.2.3 WIC Winemaking | Con Simos, John Gledhill | Active | |
5.2.4 Metabolomics and bioinformatics service platforms | Markus Herderich, Natoiya Lloyd | Active | |
5.3 Monitoring winegrowing trends and production practices | 5.3.1 Tracking trends in Australian wine composition and vineyard and winery practices | Eric Wilkes, Simon Nordestgaard | Active |