I'm raising £350000 to Help Save the Lost Pre-Phylloxera Cabernet Sauvignon Clones – A Historic Rescue Mission (as featured in Forbes)
Organised by Fran Bridgewater FCIM and Max Morales
Story
Imagine discovering a lost and forgotten wine treasure — a series of pre-phylloxera clones of Cabernet Sauvignon that have survived untouched for over a century, hidden deep in Chile’s vineyards. Now, with the combined expertise of renowned grape geneticist Dr José Vouillamoz, viticultural visionary Max Morales, and wine historian Fran Bridgewater FCIM, we have the chance to rescue this viticultural time capsule before it’s lost forever.
For over 23 years, the global team at Andes Wines has worked to identify and protect these rare clones, which could hold the key to solving some of the greatest challenges facing the wine trade today: climate change, declining genetic diversity and the ever-present threat of vine disease. This extraordinary discovery, recently featured in Forbes (https://www.forbesargentina.com/innovacion/un-clon-cabernet-sauvignon-enfrentar-plagas-cambio-climatico-n63599) has the potential to reshape the future of winemaking — not just in Chile, but across the world.
Now, we need £350,000 to establish the Ancestral Vines Genetic Rescue Centre in Chile, where Dr José Vouillamoz — one of the world’s leading experts in grape DNA profiling — will oversee the identification, propagation and preservation of these truly unique Cabernet Sauvignon clones. His expertise in vine genetics will ensure that this ancient lineage is not only safeguarded but also made available to wine regions seeking more resilient, sustainable vines.
Why This Matters
• These are pre-phylloxera clones with genetic links back to the Cabernet Sauvignon of the 19th century, before the devastation of Europe’s vineyards
• Unlike modern clones, these vines have developed natural resistance, making them potential game-changers in the fight against climate change and vineyard diseases
• Without urgent intervention, this unique genetic material could disappear forever.
How You Can Help
Your support will directly fund ground-breaking research, conservation and the creation of a living genetic library, ensuring that these lost Cabernet Sauvignon clones can be studied, multiplied and shared with wine producers around the world. Far from merely preserving history, this project has the potential to shape the future of winemaking.
Join us in this historic mission and become part of the global movement to secure the future of Cabernet Sauvignon.
👉 Donate now to leave a legacy for wine lovers and the planet.
Ancestral Vines Rescue Project ... preserving deep-rooted heritage in every vine.
