News and events

Phylloxera Identification and Management Workshop

Every year the Phylloxera and Grape Industry Board conducts a workshop for grapegrowers, winery staff, contractors and viticultural advisers to give first-hand experience on all aspects of phylloxera identification and management.

The workshop is held in Victoria, in conjunction with the Phylloxera Research team from DPI Victoria. Training is mainly conducted in the field at phylloxera-infested vineyards and wineries in the Yarra Valley and/or North-East Victoria, as well as a session in the laboratory at the Rutherglen Research Centre.

For more information, download the flyer or contact Rachel Inness or Sandy Hathaway at the office.

Yarra Valley phylloxera detections

Phylloxera was first detected in the Yarra Valley on December the 1st, 2006. During December 2008, further detections have been made. Because this is an evolving situation, the PGIBSA is providing regular updates to growers on our website. See below for updates.

18.2.09 DPI Victoria has finalised the boundaries for the Maroondah PIZ extension, with the inclusion of an additional sector on the northern boundary. See below to download updated map.

16.1.09 Latest update.

23.12.08 Original press release.

A Phylloxera Infested Zone called the Maroondah PIZ has been declared around the known infested sites, with the boundary set at a minimum of 5km from all known phylloxera affected properties. Download map of Maroondah PIZ (updated Feb 09).

Experience suggests that detections occur up to several years after the phylloxera infestation first occurred. Grapegrowers in other regions, especially those who have had regular contact with the Yarra Valley or have a high volume of tourist traffic in or near their vineyards, are advised to be extra vigilant in looking for signs of phylloxera in their vineyards. The PGIBSA has produced a brochure on Inspecting Vines for Phylloxera, which explains how to go about this. Download the brochure (590kb) or contact us and we will send you one or more copies.

If you have any questions or comments on the discovery of phylloxera in the Yarra Valley and its implications, or you would like image files of phylloxera or symptoms in grapevines, please contact us via this website or ring the Chief Executive, Alan Nankivell, on 0428 260 430.