The Victorian Government is resourcing the collection and transport of grape samples for the laboratory testing of smoke taint indicator compounds. This supports Victorian grapegrowers and winemakers and the broader Victorian Wine Industry during the current bushfire crisis.
The collection initiative is serviced and funded by the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions’ Agriculture Victoria.
As vineyards are in different Phylloxera-management zones, movement of vine materials require specific certification to be received and sent on across zone and state borders. Agriculture Victoria staff will conduct quarantine inspections and provide permits and/or Plant Health Certificates as required at the designated collection point. Samples delivered to the collection point must be prepared according to laboratory instructions.
Frozen diagnostic samples must be in freezers at -18oC for a minimum of 24 hours prior to being brought into regional collection points listed below.
Samples will be collected and dispatched to laboratories by midday (12:00pm) on Mondays and Wednesdays, however with a first dispatch commencing this Thursday 23 January. Please note: no collection Australia Day Holiday, Monday 27 January.
There are two laboratories accredited to undertake Smoke Taint testing of grapes and wine. These are Vintessential Laboratories and Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI).
Grapegrowers/winemakers wishing to get samples tested for smoke taint resulting from the December 2019 – January 2020 bushfires should contact the laboratory of their choice directly to make sure that the laboratory can schedule the incoming samples and provide results within the required timeframe.
The costs for the testing may be eligible for a rebate from the State Government. Wine Victoria will keep you informed if further funding becomes available.
Collection Points:
NORTH EAST
Rutherglen: DJPR Rutherglen, 124 Chiltern Valley Rd, Rutherglen – Matt Partridge (Winemakers of Rutherglen), 0428 744 434
King Valley: Brown Brothers, 239 Milawa-Bobinawarrah Rd, Milawa – Sean Dean (Wines of the King Valley), 0418 387 109
SOUTHERN VICTORIA
Yarra Valley: Domaine Chandon, 727 Maroondah Hwy, Coldstream (Loading Dock) – Caroline Evans (Wine Yarra Valley), 0409 190 646
Mornington Peninsula: Moorooduc Estate, 501 Derril Rd, Moorooduc (Cellar Door Building 9am-4pm) – Jeremy Magyar (MPVA), 0417 231 946
Gippsland: Traralgon Vineyard, Burnets Rd, Traralgon East – Marg & Leon Hammond, 5174 0557, (Please call before drop off)
*If your region is not listed in the current listed collection points, please contact Wine Victoria.
