The wine industry is hoping a new programme will help double production. 

The Government is investing $5.6 million over seven years into the programme, Next Generation Viticulture.

It aims to grow vines more efficiently, turning sunlight into grapes.

NZ Winegrowers Research Centre CEO Dr Juliet Ansell says it will redesign canopy management.

"It enables the vines to capture as much sunlight as they can - and encourage that sunlight to be transformed into fruit, rather than leaves or vegetative growth."

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