A Drought-Busting Grape from Cyprus Offers Hope for a Thirsty Wine Industry
South Australian wine growers, facing soaring water costs and a future of extreme heat, are turning to an ancient Mediterranean grape variety. Xynisteri, a drought-tolerant Cypriot vine, is thriving in the Riverland and Barossa Valley, requiring dramatically less water than mainstream varieties.
Key Details
- Origins & Introduction: Xynisteri is an ancient Cypriot grape variety, introduced to Australia in 2018 by researcher Dr. Alexander Copper.
- Drought Tolerance: The variety is known for its thick skin and requires 75% less water than grapes like shiraz or chardonnay.
- Heat Resilience: The grapes survived a January heatwave of 49°C with minimal damage.
Growers' Reports
"We can go months without watering them." – Yianni Koutouzis, Riverland
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Yianni Koutouzis (Riverland): With 800 vines planted three years ago, he reports a 75% reduction in water consumption compared to his shiraz or chardonnay.
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Paul and Mara Georgiadis (Barossa Valley): Harvesting 800 kg from over 600 vines, they bottled over 450 bottles. The grapes did not burn during 45°C weather.
Research Context
Dr. Alexander Copper explains that pot trials revealed Xynisteri's root structure is three to four times larger than that of shiraz, enabling it to access deeper water. The Riverland's limestone-based soil closely mirrors the growing conditions of Cyprus and the eastern Mediterranean. Notably, the variety was not suited to cooler regions like McLaren Vale.
Industry Challenges
Water security is the main concern for grape growers. – Dr. Peter Hayman, SARDI
The South Australian wine industry is facing a perfect storm:
- Water Costs: Temporary water prices in the Lower Murray Darling Basin have doubled to approximately $400/ML.
- Grape Prices: Some growers received under $100/tonne, forcing producers like Koutouzis to abandon shiraz crops.
- Climate Change: Projections indicate a temperature increase of nearly 2°C by 2070.
Statements
"Xynisteri is not a complete solution, but it is part of one." – Dr. Alexander Copper
Dr. Peter Hayman (SARDI) notes that diversity in varieties is beneficial for industry resilience. Dr. Alexander Copper emphasizes that while Xynisteri is not a silver bullet, it is a valuable tool. For growers like Yianni Koutouzis, the variety offers tangible hope: "It offers hope for the industry's future."