Wine Australia unveils national grapevine certification program, VitiCert Australia

Wine Australia has today announced the launch of VitiCert Australia, a new national certification program for grapevine planting material. VitiCert has been designed to minimise the risks of virus infection, trunk disease or incorrect varietal identity causing reduced yield, uneven growth and the need for re-establishment by setting “clear, nationally recognised standards for propagation material”. It aims to improve the quality, health and integrity of grapevine propagation material across the entire supply chain – from grapevine collections and source blocks through to the nurseries who provide growers with planting material. Wine Australia claims that the grape and wine sector will benefit from “greater confidence in vine quality and long-term vineyard performance” with the launch.