In January, Dimitrios Spanos, Founder and Director of Grape Evolution, along with his team, visited South Africa to introduce growers to the latest table grape varieties developed by Israel's Agricultural Research Organisation (ARO), known as the Volcani Institute. Grape Evolution is the marketing licence company of the breeding programme of the Volcani Institute. The Grape Evolution Team was hosted by Growers by Nature, the owners of Fruit Genetics, the South African license holder for the Volcani Institute.
Group photo: Back: Oded Degani (Volcani), Marinus Naude (Growers by Nature), Pieter Naude (Growers by Nature), Dimitrios Spanos (Grape Evolution); Front: Jaco du Toit (Growers by Nature), Jessica Kanellou (Grape Evolution), Danelene Dampies (Growers by Nature).
The group attended the Plant Genetics and Grape Evolution Grower Day held at Meerlust Farm in the Hex River Valley on 29 January 2025. Dimitrios presented an introduction to the top five ARO varieties at this event, and growers also had the opportunity to visit vineyards of two of the new varieties.
Mountain Pearl.
The variety selection included one black variety, two red varieties and two white varieties. The black variety, Early Pearl (Varo 221) has the distinction of being the earliest black seedless variety available globally, ideal for production in desert regions. Its characteristics are that it ripens at the same time as Prime seedless, it colours well to a deep black colour and the berries are 19 to 24 mm in diameter.
Exotic Pearl.
The two red varieties are Exotic Pearl and Mountain Pearl. Exotic Pearl (Varo 233) is a cross between Vitus vinifera and Vitus labrusca and has a tropical lichi/mango flavour. This red variety is very rain tolerant and suited for propagation in all production regions. The harvest timing of this labour-friendly variety is seven days after Starlight. The oval berries are 19 to 24 mm in diameter and the optimum sugar level is 18% brix.
Mountain Pearl (VARO 207) full red mid-to-late season variety, with a similar timing to Crimson seedless. This variety is also very rain tolerant and suited for propagation in all production regions. The variety has crisp, oval berries with a 17 – 22 mm diameter. It has a fruity taste, with an optimum brix level of 18%.
The two white varieties are Desert Pearl and Late Pearl. Desert Pearl (VARO 228) is an amber/green early variety, with harvest timing seven days after Prime Seedless. It has very firm, elongated berries of between 18 and 22mm in diameter.
The Volcani Institute's partnership with Fruit Genetics in South Africa spans more than 30 years, with many of its varieties already a mainstay of South African table grape production. These include Prime Seedless, the second-largest planted variety in the country with over 1,500 hectares, and Starlight, a red mutation of Prime Seedless, with over 500 hectares under cultivation.
For more information:
Fanie Naude
Growers by Nature
Tel: +2723 357 9727
Email: [email protected]