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Western Australian Vine Improvement Association (WAVIA)

Viticulture in Western Australia

The aim of WAVIA is to facilitate the access, production and distribution of improved planting material to the viticulture industry of Western Australia.
WAVIA is an industry based voluntarily run organisation formed in 1993. The Association is comprised of representatives from the wine grape, table grape, dried vine fruit and nursery industries and the Department of Agriculture and Food, WA (DAFWA).

Why vine improvement?
The high vineyard establishment cost and therefore life expectancy of a grapevine means it is crucial to use the best available planting material. Improved planting material increases the possibility of achieving desired yield and quality specifications and also assists with industry competitiveness.

Key Activities of WAVIA

• Import and select new varieties and clones required by industry.
• Maintenance of the Foundation Collection.
• Establish Source Blocks in regions.
• Provide Class A propagation material for industry.

Import and select varieties and clones
Importing new varieties and clones into WA is a high priority of WAVIA. Over the past few years WAVIA in collaboration with DAFWA have successfully imported more than 50 varieties and clones of grapevine material. Some of this imported material is new to WA while other material was imported due to its improved health status. WAVIA also selects new varieties and clones from grapevines within WA. Contact a local WAVIA representative to discuss suggestions of new varieties and clones.

To find out more information about grapevine clones that may be suitable for WA refer to the following article by Phil Nicholas from SARDI Grapevine clones used in Australia.

Foundation Collection
These are the vines that have been imported into WA through appropriate quarantine procedures. The vines held in this collection are often referred to as 'Mother Vines'. These vines are true to type and are of known origin. This trueness to type is verified by recognised ampelographers, Jim Furkaliev from South Australia and Laurent Mayoux from Montpellier in France. Any vines where the variety status is in doubt the distribution of the material from these vines is withheld until further research can provide positive identification.

The Foundation Collection was originally located at the Swan Research Station, then the Wokalup Research Station and was then moved in 2000 to its current location the Manjimup Horticultural Research Institute (MHRI).

Source Blocks
Material for a Source Block is from the 'Mother Vines' held in the Foundation Collection. Source Blocks have been established in all grape growing regions on commercial vineyards. Wine grape Source Blocks vary in size but most are about 300 vines. Table grape and dried vine fruit Source Blocks are about 30 vines. Many Source Blocks have been established with more to be planted each planting season. Source Blocks allow a greater proportion of high quality planting material be available for industry. Source Block establishment is a high priority of WAVIA. Contact a local WAVIA representative if interested in setting up a Source Block.

Class A propagation material
Cuttings collected directly from the Foundation Collection or from registered Source Blocks are referred to as Class A propagation material. Propagation material is processed (cut and graded) according to National Vine Accreditation Guidelines.

WAVIA only supply Class A propagation material. Supplies of all other propagation material are to be obtained from commercial nurseries.

Purchasing propagation material
WAVIA propagation material may be purchased from the Foundation Collection or from Source Blocks. Prices vary for the two types of propagation material available through WAVIA. There is also a minimum order requirement. Some varieties and clones are only available from the Foundation Collection and not the WAVIA Source Blocks.

Refer to the following links for further information:

Australian Vine Improvement Association www.avia.org.au

• Grapevine Varieties and Clones held by the Department of Agriculture and Food (32KB pdf)
• WAVIA Application Form for Propagation Material (47KB pdf)
• WAVIA Representatives

Diana Fisher
Viticulture Development Officer
Manjimup

Page updated: February 2009