Grapevine Berry Inner Necrosis Virus (GIN Virus) Detection

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GIN Virus Detection in Australia

Grapevine Berry Inner Necrosis Virus (GIN Virus, or GINV) (Trichovirus necroacini) has been found in vineyards in Victoria, Queensland and South Australia. This alert is to update the grape growing industry on the recent detection and presence of the virus.

These detections are the first time GIN Virus has been recorded and reported in Australia.

DETECTION

During late 2025 and early 2026 GIN Virus was detected in table grapevines and rootstocks that were diseased and asymptomatic in Victorian, Queensland and South Australian grape growing regions. 

Asymptomatic mature grapevines samples from South Australian table grape vines returned positive test results to GIN Virus in 2026.

The extent of the virus spread is currently unknown.  

SYMPTOMS AND TRANSMISSION

Some infected vines in Australia displayed restricted growth in Spring, however it is not possible to confirm if this was due to the virus or other contributing factors causing the reduced growth. As the season progresses, vines may grow out and appear normal. Asymptomatic infections also occur, meaning an infected vine may not show any visual symptoms of the virus.  

The disease is established in China and Japan where it is known to impact the health and productivity of sensitive varieties. Overseas experience has shown that symptoms vary across different varieties. Leaf symptoms have been recorded in some GIN Virus infected wine and table grapes and rootstocks but asymptomatic infections also occur. Impacts on fruit production are only recorded in table grapes. Although some wine grape varieties may show leaf symptoms, it is unknown if GIN Virus will significantly impact fruit quality and yield or sensory differences on resulting wines.

Visual symptoms can include delayed budburst, stunted growth, zig zag shoots and affected shoots may have internal necrosis.  Leaves may be smaller and can show yellow blotches, mosaic-like patterns or small rings. 

Bunches may be more compact and unusually tight, berries may be smaller, ripen slowly, and have reduced grape quality including reduced sugar and acid balance.

Berries can have inner necrosis, which gives the virus its name, but can also exhibit necrosis on the outside.

Laboratory analysis is the only method known to identify GIN Virus.

All grapevine viruses, including GIN Virus, are transmitted through vegetative propagation. The virus can also be transmitted via grafting of infected planting material. The grape erineum mite (blister and bud mite) Colomerus vitis transmits the GIN Virus between grapevines.

There is no known cure for infected vines.

CURRENT SITUATION

Although only recently detected, GIN Virus is likely to have been present in Australia for some years, propagated and distributed in planting material across eastern Australia, and so eradication is not possible. Reducing the risk of introduction and spread is your key defence.

Site quarantine action plans for the infected properties in Australia are being refined. It is expected the infected properties will be required to undertake strict farmgate hygiene to prevent the spread to other adjoining and contact vineyards.

There is currently no published information on the economic impact of GIN Virus.

Industry is conducting further investigations and surveillance to better understand this virus and how it can be managed to minimise the impact.

FAQ’s

Where is GIN Virus? How widespread is GIN Virus?

Globally, GIN Virus has been found in China and Japan.

In Australia, it has been found in vineyards in Victoria, Queensland and South Australia.  Further testing may reveal other states are impacted.

Currently only table grapes and several table grape rootstocks have tested positive to GIN Virus. 

What will GIN Virus do to my vineyard, production and/or quality?

There is no economic impact study of GIN Virus in grapevines.

Visual symptoms can include stunted growth, smaller leaves and berries, slow ripening grapes, and reduced grape quality.

What can I do to prevent GIN Virus coming onto my vineyard?

Prioritise farmgate hygiene to prevent the entry. Practice ‘clean in and clean out’.

Control vectors, mites, to slow the spread to adjoining vines.

Purchase known GIN Virus-free planting material and ask for evidence of testing.

If I have GIN Virus, what can I do?

Prioritise farmgate hygiene. Use clean grapevine material. Work in uninfected vineyards before moving to infected vineyards. Clean machinery and equipment between vineyards to prevent spread of infectious mite vectors.

How do I control mites?

Various chemical, biological and cultural control methods in line with integrated pest management can be adopted to encourage predatory insects into your vineyard. Check with the AWRI ‘Dog Book’ Agrochemicals Booklet for current chemical strategies for mite control. Some fungicides will reduce predator populations and allow mites to flourish, increasing the risk of GIN Virus spread.  Use insecticides in line with good Integrated Pest Management practices (IPM).

Can GIN Virus spread via other vectors?

It is unclear if other insect vectors, such as other mites, scale and mealybugs, may spread the virus. Additional vectors may include people, plant, soil, machinery and equipment where insect vectors may hitchhike on these items.

Does it impact winegrapes?

Overseas GIN Virus is known to infect wine grape varieties but there is no evidence in Australia that wine grapes have been infected.

Where can suspect samples be tested?

Virus testing can be undertaken at:

Information is being prepared on sampling, packing, and sending of samples to ensure they are representative of the plantings.

How can growers slow the spread?

Apply good farmgate hygiene practices. Apply ‘clean in-clean out’ practices. Keep insect vectors low in your vineyard.

If purchasing new planting material, ensure it is certified and tested free for GIN Virus and other viruses.

What are the symptoms I need to look for?

Not all GIN Virus infected grapevines will show visual symptoms. It may take some years for symptoms to appear, if at all. International experience suggests looking for:

  • reduced shoot growth and shortened internodes and reduced vine vigour
  • shortened zig zag shoots
  • chlorotic (yellow) mottling or mosaic patterns on leaves
  • ringspot patterns on foliage
  • smaller berries, although currently unable to quantify any crop loss impact
  • tightly packed grape bunches on vines
  • brown or necrotic tissue inside the berry (internal necrosis), sometimes without obvious external symptoms
  • altered sugar and acid balance in fruit.

Some of these symptoms may be the result of other grapevine issues such as poor grapevine nutrition, other viruses, or other diseases.

Will my vines die if infected by GIN Virus?

The speed and risk of spread is unknown.

No economic impact studies have been undertaken.

Can GIN Virus live in other host crops and spread to grapevines?

GIN Virus only infects grapevines. This includes wine grapes, table grapes and rootstocks. Although scientists have tested it on other plants in the lab, grapevines remain the only plants it naturally affects in real vineyard conditions.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • If you are unsure whether your vineyard may be directly impacted or have additional questions, please contact:
    • Call the Vinehealth Australia CEO, Dr Samantha Scarratt, on 0436 415 611.

Vinehealth Australia will update South Australian vineyard owners once further information is known.