Category Archives: sustainability

Grapegrower and Winemaker: Synthetic Biology – perception

Image credit: Australian and New Zealand Grapegrower & Winemaker, March 2024 issue In this, the final of four articles, consumer perception of Synthetic Biology is considered. Previously, the definition, application and regulation of Synthetic Biology in the context of wine production was reviewed. In this article, the challenges of bringing products to market, should theContinue reading “Grapegrower and Winemaker: Synthetic Biology – perception”

Grapegrower and Winemaker: The business of sustainability

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons In this article for Australian and New Zealand Grapegrower & Winemaker, I look at how sustainability and its associated goals have evolved. Carbon is being counted, emissions monitored and footprints measured, effectively changing the business environment in which the wine industry operates. To read about initiatives that are helping producers toContinue reading “Grapegrower and Winemaker: The business of sustainability”

evokeAG: Through the looking glass

How these innovators are harnessing biotechnology to transform health and nutrition Image credit: Andrey Nagaycev, Wikimedia Commons In a departure from my usual writing about wine, I explore another fascinating area of science in my first article with evokeAG. Biotechnology is changing the lens through which we understand biology, and in doing so is transformingContinue reading “evokeAG: Through the looking glass”

Grapegrower and Winemaker: Synthetic Biology – application

Image credit: Australian and New Zealand Grapegrower & Winemaker, July 2023 issue In this, the third of four articles, the application of Synthetic Biology is considered. The learnings gained from research and its application continue to contribute to our understanding of wine production and vine cultivation. Furthermore, the precision with which Synthetic Biology may beContinue reading “Grapegrower and Winemaker: Synthetic Biology – application”

Wine Industry Advisor: Sustainable Packaging

The Frugal Bottle. Image credit: Frugalpac An ongoing challenge for wine production relates to packaging, specifically the energy-hungry production and recycling of traditional glass bottles. Three companies are offering creative solutions to balance a preference for wine in-bottle with sustainability. Click here to read more.

Grapegrower and Winemaker: Synthetic Biology – regulatory frameworks

Image: Australian and New Zealand Winemaker and Grapegrower April 2023 This is the second in a series of four articles for Australian and New Zealand Grapegrower and Winemaker magazine. After looking at the definition of Synthetic Biology, I turn to the regulatory framework governing biotechnology application in Australia and in the EU. I also considerContinue reading “Grapegrower and Winemaker: Synthetic Biology – regulatory frameworks”

Grapegrower and Winemaker: Fungicide Resistance

Field sample collection for rapid testing. Image credit: Lincoln Harper, Centre for Crop and Disease Management, Curtin University Botrytis, powdery mildew and downy mildew cost the wine industry more than $200 million dollars each year according to Wine Australia estimates. In this article I look at two techniques for managing pathogen populations in the vineyard.Continue reading “Grapegrower and Winemaker: Fungicide Resistance”

Grapegrower and Winemaker: Synthetic Biology – what is it and how could it potentially benefit the wine industry?

Image: Australian and New Zealand Grapegrower & Winemaker February 2023 This is the first article in a series for Australian and New Zealand Grapegrower & Winemaker magazine looking at Synthetic Biology. First up, I look at how Synthetic Biology is defined. The science of Synthetic Biology has continued to evolve in recent years, much likeContinue reading “Grapegrower and Winemaker: Synthetic Biology – what is it and how could it potentially benefit the wine industry?”

Halliday Wine Companion Magazine: Technology and Tradition

Croptide sensors at Stoneleigh Vineyard, Marlborough, New Zealand. Credit: Pernod Ricard Winemakers. Bringing technology and tradition together in perfect harmony hits the right note for the future of wine. From smart watches for vines to self-driving tractors, technology is helping producers improve their green credentials while focusing on what they do best – creating aContinue reading “Halliday Wine Companion Magazine: Technology and Tradition”