The AWRI

29/05/2026

The technology for autonomous tractors has existed since the 2000s. So, what's the hold-up?

AWRI Principal Engineer Simon Nordestgaard attended Agritechnica 2025 - the world's largest agricultural machinery trade fair, held every two years in Germany - and came back with a frank assessment. The big manufacturers have little incentive to move fast. They're protecting existing sales and building software ecosystems first. If you want to move faster, buy an autonomy-kit or a robot.

They are also going slow on sustainable fuels and electrification. Electric tractors cost more to make than diesel tractors and somebody has to pay for that. One bright spot was that the first series production electric tractor from a major brand is now available in Europe, but it costs 60% more than the diesel version and relies on subsidies that don't exist in Australia. Little effort is going into the vineyard/farm trials of DC fast charging systems that will be necessary for vineyards to get a full day’s work with the battery technology available.

If you're thinking about where agtech is heading, Simon's analysis is a useful, independent take. Free to watch: https://youtu.be/48sQ0-PUMv8
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This webinar was supported by Wine Australia, with levies from Australia's grapegrowers and winemakers and matching funds from the Australian Government.

Agritechnica is one of the largest and most important agricultural machinery trade fairs in the world. What is on show at this event every 2 years is an indi...

25/05/2026

Missed our latest webinar? The recording is now available on the AWRI YouTube channel.

We heard from Sustainable Winegrowing Australia's new Chair, Siobhan Toohill, who shared the new governance arrangements and her priorities for the programme including reducing certification costs, improving data tools, and modernising the program.

Dr Mardi Longbottom gave a program update and Wine Australia's Paul Turale covered how SWA certification is being used in international market promotion.

Watch the full recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaIW2ORrNTI
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This webinar was supported by Wine Australia, with levies from Australia's grapegrowers and winemakers and matching funds from the Australian Government.

20/05/2026

We asked our librarian Rosanne a question a lot of people are quietly wondering about.

Can you actually trust AI for research?

Her answer: it depends. But knowing when to trust it (and when not to) is a skill worth developing. Especially when the decisions you're making have real consequences in the vineyard or winery.

In one recent example at the AWRI library, an AI overview gave confident advice about agrochemical timing that was completely baseless. It's kind of mistake that could have serious consequences.

Rosanne recommends questioning information using the CRAAP test every time you use AI for research:

C — Is the information CURRENT, or has it passed the AI's knowledge cutoff?
R — Is it actually RELEVANT to your specific question?
A — Who is the original AUTHORITY behind the information?
A — Have you verified the references are ACCURATE and real?
P — What is the PURPOSE of the AI tool: research, or profit?

If you need help finding reliable information for your next project, Rosanne is here. Contact her at [email protected] — or tell us in the comments, do you use AI for research?
For further tips, read the article:https://www.awri.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/s2484.pdf
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This work was supported by Wine Australia, with levies from Australia’s grapegrowers and winemakers and matching funds from the Australian Government.

19/05/2026

In an era of information overload, the AWRI Library can find the right answer for you.

If you contribute to the grape and wine levy, you already have access. And it costs you nothing more to use it.

Ask a real person.

https://bit.ly/awrilibrary

The AWRI’s library services are supported by Wine Australia, with levies from Australia’s grapegrowers and winemakers and matching funds from the Australian Government.

18/05/2026

We enjoyed hosting Rootlings last week for a peek behind-the-scenes in our work in wine. We love opening our doors to show what goes on in research, technology and our people driving it. We hope to do it again soon.

08/05/2026

Glacial pace? Not our style.

79% of helpdesk enquiries are answered the same day. Because when you're mid-vintage or facing something unexpected in the vineyard, you need answers today not next week.

Our team provides rapid, confidential technical support across winemaking and viticulture. Smoke. Microbiological faults. Agrochemical issues. Hazes and deposits.

Our team has seen it all and we turn around answers fast, with the science to back it up.

Ask us anything: https://www.awri.com.au/industry_support/helpdesk/

That’s all.

07/05/2026

The AWRI Library is your levy-funded information service. No subscriptions. No search algorithms. Just real experts finding the answers that matter to you.

Just ask.

https://bit.ly/awrilibrary

The AWRI’s library services are supported by Wine Australia, with levies from Australia’s grapegrowers and winemakers and matching funds from the Australian Government.

05/05/2026

What's next for sustainability in Australian wine? We have an exciting new webinar coming up.

Meet the new Chair of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, Siobhan Toohill, and hear her vision for the program’s next chapter. Drawing on early conversations across the sector, Siobhan Toohill will share her perspectives on emerging sustainability priorities—both locally and globally—and what they mean for Australian wine.

You’ll also get the latest updates on the program, with Mardi Longbottom outlining recent activity, upcoming changes, and key dates for certification and trust mark use.

Rounding out the session, Wine Australia's Paul Turale will reflect on the past year of international promotion and highlight new opportunities to showcase your wines in global markets.

Join us for a forward-looking discussion on sustainability, strategy, and market opportunity for Australian wine.

Registrations are now open here:https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VOMZOGijS0qn1uvAZlkEHQ #/registration
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This work was supported by Wine Australia, with levies from Australia’s grapegrowers and winemakers and matching funds from the Australian Government.

28/04/2026

Smoke analysis has long told growers and winemakers whether their grapes were exposed. What it couldn't reliably tell them was whether that exposure would produce perceptible smoke flavour in their wines.

Following the 2019/20 bushfires, the AWRI conducted a major research trial. More than 60 small-lot Pinot Noir, Shiraz and Chardonnay wines made from grapes with varying degrees of smoke exposure were assessed over 39 months by a trained sensory panel.

The goal was to move beyond detection and into prediction: at what concentration of smoke marker compounds in grapes does wine actually taste smoky?

For the first time, growers and winemakers can compare analysis results against moderate and high-risk thresholds to assess the likelihood of producing wine with perceptible smoke flavour.

Senior Oenologist Adrian Coulter explains the science, the key markers, and what to do if your results come back elevated.

Access the risk tables and further resources at the AWRI smoke taint webpage.

Read the article here:https://www.awri.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/s2481.pdf
Visit our smoke taint page: https://www.awri.com.au/industry_support/winemaking_resources/smoke-taint/