The challenges facing Israel’s wine grape industry are shared by growers and researchers in Australia. Charles Sturt University (CSU) is currently hosting a visit from one of the world’s leading viticulture scientists from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Professor of Viticulture and Oenology, Professor Ben Ami Bravdo is known internationally for his expertise on the impact of water and salinity stress on plant productivity. He is speaking to researchers at the National Wine and Grape Industry Centre (NWGIC) at Wagga Wagga on crop load, mineral nutrition, water availability and salinity impact upon the quality and quantity of grape harvests. Later in the week Professor Bravdo will travel to Griffith to present a seminar and meet with district growers. The NWGIC’s Dr Jonathon Holland said, “This is a unique opportunity as Israel experiences many similar issues to those that challenge Australian growers, so there is much that can be learned.”