Summary
Agroscope has approved seven new grapevine varieties that achieve permanent resistance to the two most important fungal diseases of the vine – powdery mildew and downy mildew – through gene pyramiding. The varieties Forisia, Elaris, Orellis, Damona, Valpesia, Dioniso and Taranis resulted from over 15 years of breeding work in collaboration with the French INRAE institute. They enable a reduction in fungicide treatments by 80–90 percent and thus represent a turning point for ecologically sustainable viticulture. First plants will be available to growers in 2029.
Persons
- Jean-Sébastien Reynard
Topics
- Resistant grapevine varieties
- Fungal diseases
- Sustainable agriculture
- Gene pyramiding
- Swiss viticulture
Clarus Lead
Swiss research institution Agroscope presented on January 29, 2026 at Agrovina in Martigny a scientific breakthrough: seven new grapevine varieties with stable, multi-layered resistance to powdery mildew and downy mildew. These new cultivars are the result of an unprecedented Franco-Swiss collaboration and set new standards for environmentally compatible viticulture. The decisive innovative point is gene pyramiding – a breeding strategy that combines at least two resistance genes to prevent the emergence of resistant pathogens and thus ensure sustained, long-term effectiveness.
Clarus Original Research
Clarus Research: The reduction in fungicide treatments by 80–90 percent represents a massive reduction in plant protection products – nevertheless, 1–2 treatments annually are recommended to control secondary diseases (black rot, botrytis). This demonstrates a pragmatic, scientific approach that does not aim for complete chemical-free production, but rather dramatic reduction.
Classification: The new cultivars address a central conflict in modern viticulture: quality and sustainability under economic pressure. Gene pyramiding minimizes the risk of resistance breakdown that threatens varieties with a single resistance gene – a biological safety concept for the future.
Consequence: Growers will have access starting in 2029 to a portfolio of seven varieties with different ripening times, growth forms, and quality profiles. This allows differentiated cultivation strategies without compromising quality. Simultaneously, production costs decline through reduced spraying.
Detailed Summary
The seven new grapevine varieties resulted from a systematic breeding strategy that utilized resistance genes from American (Vitis rupestris, Vitis aestivalis, Vitis rotundifolia) and Asian (Vitis amurensis) wild grapevine species. Four varieties are white (Forisia, Elaris, Orellis, Damona), three are red (Valpesia, Dioniso, Taranis). Each possesses an individual profile regarding vigor, ripening time, and oenological characteristics.
Forisia, for example, exhibits early ripening (ten days before Chardonnay) and very high yield potential with excellent wine quality – aromatic, structured, with exotic notes. Taranis ripens later (2–3 weeks after Gamay), producing deeply colored, fruit-forward wines with soft tannins. Valpesia (red) offers medium to high yield potential with deeply colored, spicy wines. This diversity allows wineries to tailor their strategies to terroir and market niche.
The core promise is not complete pesticide freedom, but rather an 80–90 percent reduction in previous fungicide treatments. Multi-year field trials in Switzerland and France confirmed effectiveness against the two main pathogens; 1–2 targeted treatments per year are nonetheless required to control secondary diseases such as black rot and botrytis.
The breeding pursued the gene pyramiding strategy: by combining multiple resistance genes (up to seven as in Elaris), the probability is minimized that pathogens develop resistance mutations. This fundamentally differs from older resistant varieties like Divico, which were based on single genes and can collapse under intensive selection pressure.
Key Statements
- Seven new varieties with multi-gene resistance to powdery mildew and downy mildew; crossing European breeding varieties with wild American and Asian vines.
- 80–90% fewer fungicide treatments possible; nevertheless 1–2 applications annually required.
- Gene pyramiding as innovation technique prevents resistance breakdown through combination of multiple genes.
- Different ripening times and quality profiles enable flexible cultivation strategies for growers.
- First commercial availability in 2029 for plants and later for wines.
Stakeholders & Affected Parties
| Stakeholder | Benefits / Risks |
|---|---|
| Growers | Reduce costs (less spraying), variety in cultivar selection, simultaneously market risk (new varieties, acceptance unknown) |
| Environment & Biodiversity | Significantly less fungicide input into soils and water bodies; protection of non-target organisms |
| Plant Nurseries | New propagation orders from 2029; training in propagation techniques required |
| Consumers | Local, sustainable wines with authentic character; higher price expectations possible |
| Competing Growers (non-resistant varieties) | Potential market pressure, conversion costs |
Opportunities & Risks
| Opportunities | Risks |
|---|---|
| Massive reduction in plant protection products – environmental relief, cost savings | Delayed market entry – first plants only in 2029, wines even later; grower impatience |
| Multi-resistant through gene pyramiding – long-term stability, no rapid resistance breakdown | Unknown market acceptance – new varieties require marketing buildup; consumers prefer established names |
| Diverse variety portfolio – tailored to different sites and quality objectives | Dependence on 1–2 annual treatments – complete chemical-free viticulture not achieved; debate over residual risk |
| Franco-Swiss cooperation – knowledge transfer, international visibility | Breeding patents & licenses – potential conflict over seed rights between institutes |
Action Relevance
For Growers
- Observe: Availability of plants from 2029; quality reports from pilot vineyards (from 2027–2028).
- Decide: Proportion of new varieties in holdings (risk vs. opportunity); training effort for cultivation and harvest management.
- Measures: Plant nursery reservations; participation in demonstration projects from Agroscope.
For Authorities / Associations
- Observe: Market acceptance; long-term resistance stability in practice.
- Decide: Subsidy programs for conversion to resistant varieties; label requirements.
- Measures: Communication campaigns; training for viticulture personnel.
For Plant Nurseries
- Observe: Demand peak from 2029; propagation techniques for each variety.
- Decide: Investments in propagation facilities.
- Measures: Early collaboration with Agroscope and INRAE for certification.
Quality Assurance & Fact-Checking
- [x] Central statements and figures verified – 80–90% fungicide reduction, 7 varieties, 15+ years breeding verified from original text.
- [x] Gene pyramiding and resistance genes plausibly documented in PDF attachment.
- [x] Availability date (2029) consistent across sources.
- [x] Unconfirmed data: market acceptance, long-term stability in production operations – flagged as opportunities/risks, not facts.
- [x] Bias check: text originates from Agroscope publication (promoting institute); no counterposition from skeptics. Notation appropriate.
Supplementary Research
⚠️ Further research required:
- Official approval documents – Swiss Federal Gazette, VITIS variety register.
- INRAE publications – research reports on gene pyramiding.
- Market research – surveys among growers on acceptance of resistant varieties (e.g., Divico adaptation rate).
- Environmental data – quantity studies on fungicide reduction and biodiversity effects.
Note: No additional sources provided in metadata; this analysis is based on Agroscope original text and PDF attachment.
Bibliography
Primary Source:
Agroscope (January 29, 2026): Seven new resistant grapevine varieties – Press release and technical presentation Agrovina Martigny.
URL: https://www.agroscope.admin.ch/agroscope/de/home/aktuell/kurznews/2026/01-29_resistente-rebsorten.html
Technical Authors (RESDUR 3 Breeding Program):
- Reynard, Jean-Sébastien (Agroscope)
- Verdenal, Thierry (Agroscope)
- Zufferey, Vivian (Agroscope)
- Spring, Jean-Laurent (Agroscope)
- Dumas, Valérie (INRAE)
- Arnold, Gerold (INRAE)
- Avia, Karine (INRAE)
- Schneider, Claire (INRAE)
Institutional Partners:
- Agroscope (Switzerland) – https://www.agroscope.admin.ch
- INRAE – Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement (France)
Verification Status: ✓ Facts checked on January 29, 2026
Footer (Transparency Notice)
This text was created with the assistance of Claude.
Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-checking: January 29, 2026
Note: The original source is a press release from Agroscope. Independent validation of long-term effectiveness and market acceptance is pending.