| Date or time period |
Event |
| Pre-historic period |
The history of winemaking parallels that of civilisation |
| 6000 BC |
Wine emerges with civilization from the East |
| 5000 BC |
Ancient winemaking spreads from Egypt and Phoenicia |
| 5000 BC |
Wine references in Egypt and Phoenicia |
| 4500 BC |
Wine produced in Greece, Crete and the far East |
| 1500 BC |
Wine first arrived in southern Europe and northern Africa |
| 500 BC |
Wine produced in India, China and most parts of Europe |
| 200 |
Romans began with wood cooperage and the use of barrels |
| 400 |
Progress in wine technology slowed down |
| 1500 |
Introduction of vines and winemaking in the New World |
| 1600s |
Rapid increase in use of cork as a seal for wine bottles |
| 1630s |
First report of glass bottles for wine storage |
| 1680 |
First microscopic observation of yeast cells |
| 1700s |
Appearance of vintage, age-worthy wines |
| 1750s |
First cork factory |
| 1768 |
Hydrometer readings of sugar levels in wine |
| 1769 |
First isolation of tartaric acid from grapes |
| 1789 |
First demonstration that ethanol formed by the fermentation of sugar |
| 1799 |
Grape sugar identified as glucose |
| 1800s |
Bordeaux mixture for downy control |
| 1815 |
Quantification of sugar fermentation |
| 1823 |
First measurement of alcohol |
| 1824 |
First record of grape hybridisation |
| 1824 |
First reference to oak chips |
| 1847 |
First control measure for powdery mildew |
| 1850s |
Introduction of the first vine pruning system |
| 1858 |
First observation of bacteria in wine |
| 1860s |
Application of sulfur dust to control fungal disease and outbreak of phylloxera |
| 1862 |
Introduction of the process of pasteurisation |
| 1864 |
First observation of reduction in wine acidity |
| 1864 |
First proof that fermentation is carried out by living cells of yeast |
| 1866 |
First recognition of importance of wine phenolics |
| 1875 |
Accurate measurement of alcohol by ebulliometery |
| 1875 |
Introduction of the concept of phylloxera-resistant rootstock |
| 1878 |
Discovery of enzymes |
| 1881 |
Acceptance grafting scions onto rootstocks |
| 1888 |
Isolation of pure yeast cultures |
| 1890 |
Inoculation of wine fermentation with pure yeast cultures |
| 1890s |
Grapevine breeding and emergence of French hybrids |
| 1890s |
In California, rootstocks were imported |
| 1891 |
Bacteria identified as cause of malic acid conversion |
| 1892 |
Ripper method developed for measuring SO2 in wine |
| 1895 |
Tannin concentration in wine |
| 1897 |
Discovery of the ‘fermentation enzyme’ |
| 1900 |
Inoculation of wine with malolactic bacteria |
| 1901 |
Method development for measurements of wine composition |
| 1910s |
Flor yeast introduced |
| 1911 |
Ratio of fruit weight to wood recognised as the key to vine productivity and fruit quality |
| 1920s |
Centrifuge technology for clarifying juice and wine first used in Australia |
| 1920s |
Vine improvement programs |
| 1925 |
Ratchet basket press |
| 1927 |
SO2 analysis |
| 1930s |
Cold stabilisation of wine first applied |
| 1930s |
Importance of pH control in winemaking recognised |
| 1930s |
Introduction of grape yield forecasting |
| 1930s |
Pectolytic enzymes introduced |
| 1930s |
Vine breeding programs |
| 1934 |
Bentonite for wine clarification |
| 1935 |
Closterovirus recognized as the cause of leaf roll |
| 1935 |
Elucidation of the life cycle of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast |
| 1935 |
Yeast propagation introduced |
| 1936 |
Soil-borne nematodes recognised as damaging pests of grapevines |
| 1940s |
Bench-grafting large-scale production of resistant rootstocks |
| 1940s |
Degree day index for regional climate classification |
| 1940s |
Diatomaceous earth filtration introduced |
| 1940s |
New disease control measures |
| 1940s |
Rootstock propagation in nurseries formalised |
| 1940s |
The use of refrigeration in fermentation |
| 1942 |
Ethylene polymer cork-like product patented |
| 1943 |
Control of bacterial spoilage of fortified wines by pH |
| 1943 |
Discovery of Saccharomyces cerevisiae mating types and genetic crossing of yeast |
| 1943 |
Problem of bacterial spoilage in fortified wine solved by Fornachon |
| 1946 |
Heliothermic Index developed |
| 1947 |
Vine prunings mainly ceased to be burnt in the vineyard |
| 1948 |
First stainless steel grape receival area |
| 1950s |
Development of drip irrigation systems |
| 1950s |
Development of gas chromatography to allow study of aroma compounds |
| 1950s |
First attempts to mechanise grape harvesting |
| 1950s |
Grapevine fanleaf virus described |
| 1950s |
Improved filtration |
| 1950s |
Inert gas cover |
| 1950s |
Introduction of refrigeration allows production of high quality white wines in warmer climates |
| 1950s |
MLF observed in Australian wines |
| 1950s |
The release of nematode-resistant rootstocks |
| 1950s |
Tissue analysis for determination of nutrient status |
| 1950s |
Use of small oak barrels becomes prevalent in New World winemaking |
| 1952 |
Introduction of non-sulfur powdery mildew control agents |
| 1953 |
First major vineyard planted |
| 1953 |
Postulation of the double helical structure of DNA |
| 1953 |
Pressure fermentation tanks |
| 1956 |
Bag-in-box idea for wine packaging patented |
| 1957 |
First horizontal air bag press |
| 1958 |
Establishment of Foundation Plant Material Service in California |
| 1958 |
First clonal selection program initiated in Australia |
| 1959 |
First automatic bottling line introduced |
| 1960 |
Development of first membranes for reverse osmosis |
| 1960 |
Introduction of balanced pruning |
| 1960 |
The concept of a horizontal drum pressed was patented |
| 1960s |
Commercial use of growth regulators |
| 1960s |
Continuous improvement of refrigerated stainless steel fermentors |
| 1960s |
Development of high-level grafting techniques for top-working |
| 1960s |
Development of the first vertical stroke action mechanical harvesters |
| 1960s |
Elucidation of canopy management principles |
| 1960s |
Indicator vines used for indexing of grapevine viruses |
| 1961 |
First continuous centrifuge |
| 1961 |
Introduction of broad-spectrum fungicides for powdery mildew control |
| 1962 |
First 'Potter' fermenters introduced |
| 1962 |
First Botrytis sweet Semillon made |
| 1962 |
Importation of vine cultivars |
| 1962 |
Use of temperature controlled wine storage facility |
| 1964 |
Further understanding of phenolic composition of grapes and wine |
| 1964 |
Stainless steel fermenters introduced |
| 1965 |
Application of bag-in-box packaging of wine |
| 1965 |
Development of metal twist-off bottle closures |
| 1965 |
Introduction of automated remuage for sparkling wine production |
| 1965 |
Introduction of first commercial active dry wine yeast starter cultures |
| 1966 |
Establishment of the complete genetic code |
| 1966 |
First new varieties brought into South Australia |
| 1966 |
New analytical method for the isolation of wine tannins |
| 1967 |
First use of sprinklers for frost control |
| 1967 |
Flow-tap for bag-in-box packaging patented |
| 1968 |
The beginning of the development of salt-tolerant rootstocks |
| 1969 |
Dried yeast introduced |
| 1969 |
First machine harvester brought to Australia |
| 1970s |
Canopy management expanded across a range of climates |
| 1970s |
Drip irrigation widely adopted in Australia |
| 1970s |
Emergence of minimal pruning |
| 1970s |
Further improvements in mechanical harvesting technology |
| 1970s |
Importance of pH in red winemaking |
| 1970s |
Improvements in mechanical harvesting technology |
| 1970s |
Lyre trellis system developed |
| 1970s |
Selection and comparison of Vitis vinifera clones became standard practice in Australia |
| 1970s |
Stelvin sealed wines introduced into the Australian market |
| 1970s |
Understanding of fundamental grapevine biology improved |
| 1972 |
Agglomerate corks |
| 1972 |
Development of the Potter drainer and fermentor |
| 1972 |
Import of first mechanical harvester in Australia and rapid uptake of mechanisation |
| 1972 |
Rotary drum vacuum filter developed |
| 1973 |
Introduction of new fungicides for disease control in vineyards |
| 1973 |
Rotary fermentors developed |
| 1973 |
Spread of grapevine yellows elucidated |
| 1973 |
The first cloning experiments with recombinant DNA |
| 1974 |
The potent flavour compound damascenone identified in grapes |
| 1975 |
Flavour chemistry of Muscat varieties understood |
| 1975 |
Mechanical pruning of grapevines |
| 1975 |
Methoxypyrazines first identified in grapes |
| 1976 |
The first use of NIR for alcohol measurements |
| 1977 |
Chemical age index for wine published |
| 1978 |
Continuous screw press patented |
| 1978 |
First transformation of yeast with cloned DNA |
| 1978 |
Infrared aerial photography used for phylloxera detection |
| 1979 |
Link between H2S production and must nitrogen content revealed |
| 1980 |
Climatic classifications published |
| 1980 |
Foamed thermoplastic resin cork patented |
| 1980s |
A new biotype of phylloxera kills grafted vines |
| 1980s |
Development of regulated deficit irrigation strategies |
| 1980s |
Development of the Te-Kauwahata twin-tier and Scott-Henry training systems |
| 1980s |
First DNA techniques for reliable wine yeast strain identification |
| 1980s |
First hybrid rootstocks released |
| 1980s |
Further development of mechanical pruning systems |
| 1980s |
Interactive physiological effect of rootstocks on fruit composition |
| 1980s |
Mechanisation of leaf removal, shoot positioning and lifting of foliage wires |
| 1980s |
Minimal pruning shown to be valid in cool climates |
| 1980s |
Relationship between pH and SO2 |
| 1980s |
Release of improved French hybrid varieties |
| 1980s |
Research on the effect of harvesters on the dispersal and spread of crawlers |
| 1980s |
Research on the effect of mechanised crop thinning, pruning and harvesting |
| 1980s |
Role of grape derived precursors in releasing monoterpenes recognised |
| 1980s |
Rootstock resistant to all phylloxera biotypes released |
| 1980s |
Screw cap wines largely removed from the Australian market |
| 1981 |
Continuous starter culture production |
| 1981 |
Patent for diaphragm press filed |
| 1982 |
Cork taint |
| 1983 |
First use of HCN as dormancy breaker for improved budburst |
| 1984 |
Wine aroma wheel developed |
| 1984 |
Yellow speckle viroid detected in grapevine |
| 1985 |
A patent filed for the use of reverse osmosis for alcohol reduction |
| 1988 |
Foundation of the Australian Vine Improvement Association |
| 1988 |
Patent filed for Spinning Cone technology for alcohol removal and aroma capture |
| 1990 |
Application of ethephon and paclobutralzol to inhibit vegetative growth |
| 1990 |
First genetically engineered prototype wine yeast |
| 1990s |
Australian producers begin to return to the screw cap |
| 1990s |
Bio-pesticides |
| 1990s |
DNA profiling used to determine parentage of 'old' grape varieties |
| 1990s |
Development of Partial Rootzone Drying (PRD) irrigation |
| 1990s |
Development of integrated mechanical pruning and harvesting systems |
| 1990s |
Development of mechanical shoot thinning machines |
| 1990s |
Development of more precise barrel prunning mechanical systems |
| 1990s |
Glycosidase enzymes for liberating bound flavour commercially applied |
| 1990s |
Introduction of precision agriculture through remote sensing technologies |
| 1990s |
New MLF cultures introduced |
| 1990s |
Recognition that numerous flavour compounds in wine derive from glycoside precursors |
| 1990s |
The Smart-Dyson system for control of bunch exposure developed |
| 1990s |
The release broad-spectrum strobilurin fungicides |
| 1991 |
Development micro-oxygenation technology |
| 1992 |
Biologically-effective day degrees adjusted for latitude and daily temperature range |
| 1992 |
New hybrid wine yeast strains developed and commercialised |
| 1993 |
Commercialisation of the first freeze-dried cultures of malolactic |
| 1993 |
DNA fingerprinting used for grape variety identification |
| 1994 |
Patent filed for a reverse osmosis process to remove unwanted substances |
| 1995 |
Flavour precursor G-G assay developed |
| 1996 |
Characterisation of the malolactic enzyme system |
| 1996 |
Genetic blueprint of first Saccharomyces cerevisiae revealed |
| 1996 |
Method for measuring grape colour developed |
| 1997 |
First systematic review of stuck fermentation |
| 1998 |
Amino acid precursors in grapes release potent thiol compounds |
| 1999 |
Benchmark trial of different bottle closures |
| 2000 |
Clare Valley producers bottle 2000 vintage Riesling under screw cap |
| 2000 |
First application of consumer acceptance testing in wine research |
| 2000s |
Approaches to minimise risks of spoilage by Brettanomyces |
| 2000s |
Better understanding of the relationship between tannin and quality |
| 2000s |
Commercialisation of a flavour-enhancing mixture of three wine yeasts |
| 2000s |
Commercialisation of a wine yeast for the reduction of ethyl carbamate formation |
| 2000s |
Commercialisation of a wine yeasts for the reduction of H2S |
| 2000s |
Commercialisation of malolactic wine yeast |
| 2000s |
Commercialisation of new interspecific yeast strains |
| 2000s |
Construction of a wine yeast deletion library |
| 2000s |
Detection of compounds in smoke affected grapes & wine |
| 2000s |
Development of flavour-enhancing wine yeast prototypes |
| 2000s |
Development of in-bottle measurement of oxygen |
| 2000s |
Development of low-alcohol wine yeast prototypes |
| 2000s |
Discovery of thiols in fruity white wines |
| 2000s |
Elucidation of relationship between anthocyanin degradation and berry temperature |
| 2000s |
Flavour scalping by some bottle closures |
| 2000s |
Links between composition and perceived coarseness in white wines explored |
| 2000s |
Malolactic bacteria found to increase oakiness in wine |
| 2000s |
Nitrogen management in vineyards and winery for optimal wine quality |
| 2000s |
Precision agriculture and remote sensing |
| 2000s |
Rapid spectral methods developed to analyse anthocyanins and predict tannin |
| 2000s |
Salt-tolerant rootstocks released |
| 2000s |
The use of oak chips permitted in the EU |
| 2000s |
Tools with which to manage environmental conditions |
| 2000s |
Varietal differentiation of grape juices by protein fingerprinting |
| 2005 |
Development of a simple tannin assay |
| 2005 |
Genetic blueprint of the first malolactic bacterial strain revealed |
| 2007 |
Discovery of rotundone in peppery Shiraz |
| 2007 |
Genetic blueprint of the first grapevine variety revealed |
| 2008 |
Elucidation of relationship between berry and wine quality |
| 2008 |
Genetic blueprint of the first wine yeast strain revealed |
| 2009 |
Chemical characterisation of wild ferment wines |
| 2009 |
Crystal structure for grape haze-forming protein solved |
| 2009 |
Discovery of cineole as the cause of minty eucalypt character in red wine |
| 2009 |
Expanded consumer preferences studies in emerging markets |
| 2009 |
First commercialisation of a true Saccharomyces bayanus yeast for enhancing wine flavour |
| 2009 |
Genome sequencing and comparisons among grape varieties and clones |
| 2009 |
Genome sequencing and comparisons among malolactic bacteria |
| 2009 |
Genome sequencing and comparisons among wine yeasts |
| Beyond 2010 |
Automated expert systems |
| Beyond 2010 |
Continuous systems |
| Beyond 2010 |
Genetically improved bacteria, yeasts and grapevines |
| Beyond 2010 |
Heat-proof management systems |
| Beyond 2010 |
Native plants as cover crops |
| Beyond 2010 |
Objective quality measures |
| Beyond 2010 |
Objective definitions of wine styles |
| Beyond 2010 |
Predictive Biology |
| Beyond 2010 |
Real-time yield estimations |
| Beyond 2010 |
Real-time, automated irrigation systems |
| Beyond 2010 |
Robotic pruners and other devices |
| Beyond 2010 |
Selective mechanical harvesters |
| Beyond 2010 |
Synthetic Biology |
| Beyond 2010 |
‘Omics, bioinformatics and Computational and Systems Biology |
