News
Extension of Testing Services for the Wine Industry - GLRaV2 and GLRaV3
Date: 13 Feb 2023
Author:
In early 2021 we set up GLRaV3 testing. This grape season, we are pleased to announce that we have extended our services to also offer the GLRaV2 testing.
Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 2 and 3 are destructive viruses that can spread rapidly through vineyards by insect vectors, mealy bugs. The virus shortens the commercial lifespan of infected vines by causing deterioration in fruit quality and vine performance, particularly in red wine grapes.
GLRaV2 and GLRaV3 are able to be reported individually or as a combination with results available within 5 days of samples arriving at our Blenheim branch.
It is important that the correct leaf and cane samples are taken. This is because the virus can be unevenly distributed and can vary based on meteorological conditions and the time of the year. The petioles and main veins of well-developed mature leaves collected from the lower part of the plant, late in the growing season and mature dormant canes that are lignified, are the recommended tissue courses for testing GLRaV-2 and GLRaV-3.
Hill Laboratories is well known by the wine and viticulture industry for our commitment to providing world-class testing services. We've been testing wine for a decade and we have a dedicated specialist wine testing lab located in the heart of Marlborough. Offering a suite of testing for every stage in wine production, from soil to vine to finished wine, we specialise in wine export analysis with a number of other related analyses to meet all major winery testing needs.
We are committed to being the laboratory of choice for New Zealand grape growers and wine makers and we look forward to assisting you with your testing needs. If you have any questions, please contact our Food & Bioanalytical Client Services Team through fnb.csm@hill-labs.co.nz