South Africa’s farmers must work together on virus control if high-quality grape production is to be sustained, according to Carolyn Martin of Creation Wines.

Creation Wines owns the first virus-free mother block of vines in the country since apartheid. The estate is working with South African viticultural body Vititec to eliminate virus problems from vineyards across the country. Chief among them is leafroll virus type 3.

The leafroll virus was discovered in South African vineyards in 1936, but until recently farmers believed it was impossible to eradicate. The disease, which is spread by mealybugs and is generally associated with red varieties, diminishes the quality and volume of the grapes until eventually the vines have to be uprooted.