Griffith could soon be home to a new crop of cutting-edge grapes developed by the CSIRO.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries has planted five new white wine grape varieties that can resist powdery and downy mildew and thrive in the Riverina’s warm inland climate.

The high-tech grapes have begun to sprout at the Griffith Viticultural Research Station’s demonstration vineyard, which has also installed new technology to monitor the plants’ progress.

DPI viticulture development officer Adrian Englefield said that if all goes well, these new grapes and gadgets could potentially be a game-changer for the industry.

“Even if we get just one of these varieties to be commercially adopted in the Riverina there’d be huge savings in chemical application but also reduced disease risk from powdery and downy mildew,” Mr Englefield said.

“We’ll also be able to try new technologies and sensors to help growers make better decisions around pest and disease management.”

A new long range wireless network will help keep track of everything from soil moisture, temperature, air humidity, and even leaf wetness.

The demo vineyard was set up in partnership with the Riverina Wine Grape Marketing Board.

The board’s CEO Brian Simpson, who is also a Griffith City Councillor, said the new grapes and technology were a great opportunity for the area.

“We need innovation and development in viticulture because it is beneficial for the entire region,” Mr Simpson said.

“It’s great we’ve got the government trying new varietals for industry, which could mean a reduction in spray applications which can save money.

“It’ll mean better clean and green products coming out of the region, which we’re renowned for.”

Grapes from the demonstration block will be used to produce wine with the potential to deliver new sparkling and other white wine styles.

For the last four years they have been under evaluation at the National Wine and Grape Industry Centre in Wagga Wagga.

NSW DPI are also considering trialling red wine grapes in the future.