A new $1 million plant growth facility will increase research and market opportunities for the NSW wine industry.

The NSW Government officially opened a purpose-built facility, which is located at the National Wine and Grape Industry Centre (NWGIC) at Wagga Wagga.

14 wine regions from across NSW will benefit from the research carried out at the National Wine and Grape Industry Centre as it will help vignerons increase their production efficiency and wine quality.

The facility includes two high-tech temperature-controlled plant glasshouses and a bird-proof micro vineyard and will enhance the centre’s capacity to conduct world leading research on grapevine adaptation to climate under controlled conditions.

The centre’s research will generate important new insights into the impact of factors such as heat stress, carbon dioxide and soil temperature, drought and grapevine diseases.

Wine is an important value-adding agricultural product for the State, contributing over $500 million to the NSW economy each year.

The National Wine and Grape Industry Centre is an alliance between NSW Department of Primary Industries [1] (NSW DPI), Charles Sturt University [2] (CSU) and the NSW Wine Industry Association [3] and undertakes research, education, training and extension activities to serve the Australian grape industry.

The National Wine and Grape Industry Centre is one of Australia’s leading organisations for research and development for the Australian wine sector.

This significant investment in the National Wine and Grape Industry Centre ensures it is now in the best possible position to not just advance the State’s valuable wine industry but also local employment opportunities.

NSW has become an increasingly important part of the Australian wine sector and has potential for further growth.