Project Leaders:   
Steven Lund, Hennie van Vuuren, Richard Gardner

Lead Institutions:   
University of British Columbia, University of Auckland

Technology Applications:   
Wine production

Research Funding Program:   
Applied Genomics Consortium Program

This collaborative applied research project which builds on the previous GrapeGen project, supported by Genome BC, aims to further advance and apply new knowledge about grape biology (viticulture) and wine yeasts to improve winemaking processes and the quality of the wines produced (enology). The leaders of the project are Drs. Hennie van Vuuren and Steve Lund from UBC’s Wine Research Centre and Dr. Richard Gardner from the University of Auckland in New Zealand.

The contribution of BC wine sales to provincial agri-business has grown significantly over the past decade. Overall, Canadian exports in 2005 accounted for over Cdn$832 M. International researchers from Canada, New Zealand and the US, three of the New World countries contributing to the world’s wine production, are combining their respective areas of expertise to identify changes at the molecular and biochemical level that effect grapevine cultivation, grape processing and fermentation by yeasts. Further collaborations with winegrowers and winemakers will enable an analysis of the impact on industry of proposed applications of the research.

The effect of particular environmental factors on signaling and metabolic pathways important for berry ripening and berry flavour are being investigated using the agriculturally relevant Pinot Noir and Gewurztraminer varieties as model cultivars in Canada and the Sauvignon Blanc in New Zealand. Genomic techniques are being used to further identify genes associated with specific compositional traits relevant to grapevine production. Similar genomic and proteomic approaches will be applied to elucidate the cellular response of yeast strains during the fermentation process and the effects of manipulating fermentation conditions on the production of wine aroma and flavour.

An applied research component of this project involves the identification of gene, protein, or metabolic factors that are indicative of a physiological or disease state in a particular cell at a specific time. Ultimately, these “biomarkers” may be invaluable for monitoring vine growth and implementing vine management strategies.

An essential component of this project is the social science research, led by Dr. Michael Howlett, which will evaluate the existing interactions within the Canadian wine industry in the context of adopting and regulating innovative genomics-inspired technologies and interactions between industry, science, policy-makers, and the general public.