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GreenVenus, LLC, a California agricultural biotech company announced new breeding innovations aimed at revolutionizing the production of high-quality wines without using sulfites.
“We are excited to bring modern breeding technologies such as gene editing to wine grapes,” said Dr. Shiv Tiwari, CEO of GreenVenus. “We are making significant progress in developing new grape varieties that require fewer chemical inputs while ensuring the production of premium-quality wines.”
Oxidation, or browning, during grape juice processing can affect the colour, phenolic content, and overall quality of wines. Sulfur dioxide, commonly used to prevent undesired oxidation, has been linked to adverse health effects for individuals who are sensitive or allergic to sulfites. As a result, there is a growing demand for sustainable alternatives to address oxidation without compromising wine quality and safety.
The achievement resulted from a collaboration between GreenVenus and the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation Plant Transformation Facility at UC Davis, who developed a breakthrough platform that allows for the regeneration of gene-edited plants from single cells of multiple grape varieties.
“These innovations are only the beginning. Our technologies hold tremendous promise to enhance the resistance of wine grapes to destructive diseases, reduce the reliance on chemical interventions and promote environmentally friendly vinification practices.”