Grower, Maker, Researcher - Wine Industry Insights

Welcome to the 2026 Growing Season Review. In this episode, hosted by Colin Hinze, members come together to share their experiences from the season — the successes, the challenges, and everything in between. We talk about what worked, what didn’t, and the lessons that can help you plan for the year ahead. Whether you’re looking for practical tips or just want to hear real stories from the vineyard, this discussion is packed with insights straight from the people on the ground.

This episode explores how WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) training delivered in partnership with ASVO can enhance knowledge, skills, and career opportunities in the wine industry. We discuss the course structure, key learning outcomes, and why formal wine education is a valuable investment for early-career professionals, while also providing targeted professional development for cellar door staff. Plus, we share a special offer for ASVO and Rootling members and highlight our face-to-face sessions in Orange in November 2025.

This podcast focuses on the latest developments around detection and monitoring of grey mould. Detection of grey mould of grapes is problematic as the fungus is often hidden from sight within the interior of the grape bunch.

Professor Chris Steel discusses the limitations of visual assessment for grey mould and shares results on alternative methods which provide better detection and quantification of the fungus.

This podcast discusses the widespread and increasing problem of scale and mealy bugs in vineyards. Guests Dr Linda Thomson from the Pest & Environmental Adaptation Research Group at the University of Melbourne and viticulturist, and Jenny Venus from brad case contracting share information on why these insects are a concern to winegrape growers, and discuss how to spot the problem early, and effective control measures.

In this episode, Ian Thomas from the Bureau of Meteorology explains “My Climate View” - an online service which allows vineyard managers to see long term projections of relevant key indices for anywhere in Australia. ‘My Climate View’ is a collaboration between the CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology, as part of the Climate Services for Agriculture program funded by the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund. This ASVO podcast is funded with support from Wine Australia. 

Hear the story of Ross Hill Wines' journey to become the first carbon neutral winery verified by the Australian Government.  

This ASVO podcast is part of a series funded by Wine Australia

This episode continues our previous chat on understanding smoke taint.  This episode's focus is on best practices for mitigating the effects of smoke taint.  Our guests, Professor Kerry Wilkinson, Dr Julie Culbert and winemaker Alex Cassegrain. This episode is a collaboration between The University of Adelaide, Waite Research Institute and ASVO.  

This episode of Grower, Maker, Researcher discusses the decisions wine growers need to make after smoke exposure of a vineyard. The guests in this episode are Professor Kerry Wilkinson, Dr Julie Culbert and winemaker Alex Cassegrain, and explores tried and tested options to reduce the risk of smoke tainted wine.  This podcast is a collaboration between The University of Adelaide, Waite Research Institute and ASVO.

Early warning of smoke taint is a game-changer for the industry. Ian Porter & Dean Cleave-Smith discuss the smoke sensor network which is dedicated to monitoring smoke taint risk in vineyards. 

This was a project funded by the Federal and Victorian Governments through a Regional Economic Stimulus and Resilience Grant awarded to the North-East Wine Zone following the 2019-20 bushfires, in partnership with Wines of the King Valley, La Trobe University and Wine Australia

Colin Hinze and Richard Hamilton discuss "How should you manage a vineyard that has been directly damaged by fire, and what is the best way to return the vines to productivity?" 

The project was delivered by Wine Australia in partnership with the Department of Primary Industries and Regions. It is a Local Economic Recovery project, which is jointly funded by the South Australian and Australian Governments under the National Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.