Back in February, FPS announced the results from its initial testing of 1600 vines from the Classic Foundation and the entire planting at the Russell Ranch Foundation Vineyards. Yesterday, FPS announced the results of further testing of the Classic Foundation and posted a list of those results on their website.
We've now tested nearly 4,200 vines - the entirety of Russell Ranch and roughly 2/3 of the Classic Foundation. Of those vines tested, less than 1/4 of 1 percent (that's less than 00.25%) have tested positive. We attempted to cover all the most important varieties in the most recent round of testing. While we still have about 1/3 of the Classic Foundation to test, we expect those varieties to be the lowest priority for the industry.
So far, positive testing vines include five selections of Chardonnay (37, 39, 41, 49, and 68), Orange Muscat 02, Ruby Cabernet 02, and Thomcord 02. In each case, the sister vines, planted right alongside, have tested negative.
Research is still underway as to the cause of the virus and how it is spread.
We will continue to test the Classic Foundation and announce results when they become available.