Foster's vineyards in the Yarra Valley hit by Phylloxera

Phylloxera, the insect pest that decimated Bordeaux’s vineyards in the 1860s, has hit Australia’s Yarra Valley. The affected vineyard is owned by one of the area’s largest producers, Foster’s, whose wineries include Yarra Ridge, St Huberts and Coldstream Hills. The company was alerted to the problem after routine aerial monitoring identified unusual vine growth. This was inspected by vineyard staff and finally confirmed by expert examination. The affected vineyard has been quarantined and the infected vines will be removed and destroyed. The Victorian Department of Primary Industries is now reviewing other Yarra Valley vineyards to determine the extent of the infestation. Phylloxera is present in other parts of Australia, but only in isolated winegrowing regions in Victoria and New South Wales.