NBT Grape Varieties Under Development

Overview

While no gene-edited grape varieties are commercially available yet, active research programs are developing disease-resistant versions of major wine varieties. This article tracks the status of NBT research by variety.

White Varieties

Chardonnay

Status: Most advanced NBT grape research globally

Research locations:

• 🇮🇹 Italy (CREA, Edmund Mach)
• 🇫🇷 France (INRAE)
• 🇺🇸 USA (UC Davis)

Targets:

• MLO gene knockout (powdery mildew)
• Downy mildew susceptibility genes

Progress:

• ✅ Successful gene editing
• ✅ Greenhouse resistance confirmed
• 🔄 Field trials (Italy, 2023+)
• ⏳ Wine quality evaluation

Potential applications: Champagne, Burgundy, global production

Glera (Prosecco)

Status: Field trials authorized in Italy (2023)

Research location: 🇮🇹 CREA, consortium-funded

Targets:

• Powdery mildew (primary)

Progress:

• ✅ Gene editing successful
• ✅ Greenhouse validation
• 🔄 Field trials underway
• ⏳ Commercial pathway

Importance: Prosecco DOC sustainability critical

Riesling

Status: Early research phase

Research locations:

• 🇩🇪 Germany (Julius Kühn-Institut)
• 🇦🇹 Austria (research interest)

Targets:

• Powdery mildew
• Botrytis (grey rot, not noble rot)

Challenges:

• Aromatic compound preservation critical
• Mosel, Rheingau appellation implications

Sauvignon Blanc

Status: Limited research published

Potential targets:

• Powdery mildew resistance
• Aromatic precursor preservation

Interest: Loire, Bordeaux, New Zealand

Trebbiano/Ugni Blanc

Status: Research interest (distillation applications)

Focus: Cognac sustainability

Italian interest: Widespread planting

Red Varieties

Merlot

Status: Active research

Research locations:

• 🇫🇷 France (INRAE)
• 🇮🇹 Italy (Universities)

Targets:

• Powdery mildew (MLO knockout)
• Downy mildew

Progress:

• ✅ Editing protocols established
• 🔄 Greenhouse trials
• ⏳ Field trial planning

Importance: Bordeaux, Saint-Émilion, global

Sangiovese

Status: Active Italian research priority

Research locations: 🇮🇹 CREA, University of Florence

Targets:

• Powdery mildew
• Downy mildew

Challenges:

• Complex phenolic profile preservation
• Clone-specific optimization

Importance: Chianti Classico, Brunello, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

Nebbiolo

Status: Early research phase

Research location: 🇮🇹 Edmund Mach Foundation

Targets:

• Powdery mildew
• Downy mildew (significant problem)

Critical challenges:

• Tannin structure preservation essential
• Very difficult variety to work with
• Long aging requirements complicate validation

Importance: Barolo, Barbaresco (ultra-premium)

Pinot Noir

Status: Active research

Research locations:

• 🇮🇹 Italy (Edmund Mach)
• 🇫🇷 France (research interest)
• 🇺🇸 USA (UC Davis)

Targets:

• Powdery mildew
• Botrytis susceptibility

Challenges:

• Extremely terroir-sensitive variety
• Clone diversity considerations
• Burgundy, Champagne implications

Cabernet Sauvignon

Status: Limited published research

Potential: Strong interest given global importance

Likely targets:

• Powdery mildew
• Potentially color stability

Considerations: Less urgent (more disease-tolerant than Pinot Noir)

Corvina

Status: Research interest in Italy

Location: 🇮🇹 University of Verona

Unique consideration: Appassimento (drying) compatibility

Importance: Amarone, Valpolicella

Table Grapes (Relevant Research)

Thompson Seedless (Sultanina)

Status: Advanced research

Location: 🇺🇸 UC Davis

Significance: Proof of concept; methodology applicable to wine grapes

Merlot × Cabernet Research Lines

Various research institutions use these for methodology development.

Disease Resistance Targets by Stage

Most Advanced (Field Trials)

Target	Approach	Varieties
Powdery mildew	MLO knockout	Chardonnay, Glera

Intermediate (Greenhouse)

Target	Approach	Varieties
Powdery mildew	MLO knockout	Merlot, Sangiovese
Downy mildew	S-gene editing	Various

Early Stage (Lab)

Target	Approach	Status
Botrytis	Multiple genes	Research
Pierce’s disease	Resistance genes	UC Davis focus
Drought tolerance	Stress genes	Exploratory

Timeline Summary

Variety	Current Stage	Estimated Commercial*
Chardonnay	Field trials	2030-2033
Glera	Field trials	2030-2033
Merlot	Greenhouse	2033-2036
Sangiovese	Greenhouse	2033-2036
Pinot Noir	Greenhouse	2034-2037
Nebbiolo	Early research	2035-2040
Riesling	Early research	2035-2040

*Highly dependent on regulatory developments

Quality Verification Requirements

Before any variety reaches commercial release:

1. Genetic stability: Edits stable across generations
2. Agronomic performance: Yield, vigor, ripening normal
3. Disease resistance: Field-validated protection
4. Wine quality: Sensory indistinguishable from parent
5. Long-term aging: Particularly critical for premium varieties
6. Regulatory approval: EU + national + appellation

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Last Updated: January 7, 2026