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• 2007 - 2012 Program Summary

2007 - 2012 Program Summary

Please click here for current projects in all program areas: 2009-10 Current Project List
Please click here to view the current Five Year R&D Plan (2007-2012)

Program 1 - Market and Consumer Understanding

Wine evokes thoughts of friends and societal values. This is particularly true when combining responsible consumption with food and family. To grow and remain competitive the Australian wine industry must identify new market opportunities as well as better serve the needs of consumers in established markets.

The increasing competitiveness of the global market, as well as the consumer focus advocated by industry stakeholders, has led to this program. It is not about the action of marketing, however, but the understanding of markets as evident in the sub programs.

Sub Program a) Know Your Consumer

During consultation for this plan, industry argued that knowing consumers was the starting point for the wine business. Fundamental to the future success of the Australian wine industry is an ability to define and quantify consumer preferences and to use this information to influence winemaking and viticultural practices.

Sub Program b) Market Opportunities and Development

One of the Australian Government Rural Research and Development Priorities is to encourage a better understanding of domestic and international markets. Components of this sub program respond appropriately to this priority as well as to Wine Australia: Directions to 2025.

Program 2 - Winemaking Excellence

Expansion of knowledge and understanding of wine chemistry, microbiology and winery processes has provided industry with new opportunities to meet the demands of wine consumers. The challenge for winemakers over the life of this Plan is to balance economic demands of their winemaking with the range of wine styles demanded by increasingly discerning consumers.

Program 2 and Program 3 follow on from Program 1 as they provide support for achieving consumer satisfaction through awareness of consumers' needs and delivery of wine which is appealing and without faults. The sub programs in this case will strengthen the power of winemakers to produce reliable and consistent wines as well as to develop new wine styles.

Sub Program a) New Technologies and Products

Production efficiencies, improved knowledge of consumers and creation of new wine styles will assist Australian winemakers in the increasingly competitive global market. This sub program reflects the Australian Government's National Research Priorities to strengthen the economic and social fabric of communities and development of frontier technologies.

Sub Program b) Managing and Enhancing Wine Quality

The reputation of Australian winemakers and their wines will be enhanced by projects that respond to calls by industry bodies for continuing improvements in winemaking technology. This embraces both biotechnology, logistics management and process technology.

 Program 3 - Grapes for Purpose

The aim of this program is to grow grapes to achieve desired wine characteristics. Research will help growers understand and adopt vineyard management practices to achieve in the grapes the characteristics that are being sought for wine.

Australian grapegrowers produce a large number of winegrape varieties under a wide range of growing conditions. They endeavour to produce fruit with the attributes winemakers need to meet targeted end uses which span many different consumer segments and price points. At the same time grapegrowers seek methods of management which are environmentally responsible and best able to return a profit to their business.

This program is directed towards all these needs and involves vine improvement, research into vine physiological factors, development of improved management options and attention to factors which influence flavour compounds and wine style. It follows that sub programs deal with vineyard performance and berry composition.

Sub Program a) Vine Improvement and Performance

Economic sustainability is an important concern of Australian grapegrowers who will be looking to this sub program for support. It considers aspects of the Rural Research and Development Priorities as well as production and economic issues raised by industry bodies.

Sub Program b) Berry Composition

If berry composition can be measured it can be better managed. Knowing this, the grape and wine industry has been keen to have continuation of research into berry composition and ways of measuring important components.

 Program 4 - Sustainability of Industry, Environments and Communities

The wine industry has demands placed on it by its own operational standards, regulations and consumer expectations in domestic and international markets. While water resources and climate change have high profiles, issues also include waste management, efficient use of inputs (including recycling) and integrated pest management. Understanding consumer influences and desires in relation to "clean and green" operations will benefit the operations of the Australian wine industry.

Program 4 is comprised of four sub programs which strongly reflect one of the National Research Priorities, namely to pursue an environmentally sustainable Australia.

Sub Program a) Sustainable Production

By world standards Australia has low input viticulture and wishes to maintain this status through such actions as improved strategies for crop protection against pests and diseases and judicious water use.

Sub Program b) Environmental Custodians

Environmental management systems are continuing to be improved to the satisfaction of producers as well as consumers. Response to climate change is also on the minds of all parties and this matter, incorporated in the Rural Research and Development Priorities, will be given significant attention.

Sub Program c) Looking Ahead

In addition to looking ahead for opportunities the GWRDC is mindful of biosecurity threats and other risks to the economic and environmental health of the grape and wine industry. Recognising the National Research Priority of Safeguarding Australia, the GWRDC will collaborate with other agencies to monitor and assess risks, implementing action plans where appropriate.

Sub Program d) The Next Generation

Human capacity building is increasing in importance among Rural R&D Corporations and will receive attention in this program.

Program 5 - Smart Science, Practical Solutions

There is a need to derive quantifiable benefits from the GWRDC's investment in R&D for industry, our environment and the communities within which the wine industry operates.

A push to be smarter at what is done in a pure research sense is evident across all programs in this Plan.

Sub Program a) Knowledge Development

There is increasing demand for sound knowledge on which to base decisions. This sub program considers the needs for not only the development of knowledge but also for its interpretation for stakeholders.

Sub Program b) Industry Solutions

The GWRDC must administer and review all means of delivery and adoption of the results of R&D.

Sub Program c) Administration and Governance

The GWRDC has the responsibility to operate efficiently, ensuring compliance and reporting requirements are met.