The Applied Technical Services Family of Companies (ATS FoC) provides smoke taint testing for wine grape samples exposed to wildfire smoke. At our Santa Rosa laboratory in the heart of Sonoma County wine country, we help growers, wineries, vineyard managers, and insurers assess smoke exposure to protect wine quality and help ensure grapes meet the desired standards before moving wine production forward.
What are the Benefits of Smoke Taint Testing on Wine Grapes?
Wildfire smoke deposits volatile phenols on grape skins, which bind with sugars to form glycosides. During fermentation and aging, these compounds may release smoky, burnt, or ashy flavors and aromas that compromise wine quality.
Early detection of smoke-related compounds through reliable smoke taint testing delivers objective data to help:
- Protect wine value, taste, and quality
- Inform harvest decisions
- Improve quality assurance practices
- Guide purchasing and production planning
- Reduce financial uncertainty
- Produce documentation for insurance claims
How We Assess Smoke Exposure Risk
Collect and Analyze Samples: Before testing, we calibrate our instruments and collect a wide range of grapes harvested across multiple vines and vineyard locations. High-quality sampling is critical because smoke exposure can vary across a vineyard.
We then apply the appropriate smoke-taint testing method and analyze the samples for smoke-related compounds. We typically measure:
- Free volatile phenols
- Total bound (glycosylated) smoke compounds
- Extended smoke-marker panels
Identify Smoke Exposure Risk: We target key smoke exposure markers, including volatile phenols such as 4-methylguaiacol, 4-methylsyringol, guaiacol, cresols, phenol, and syringol, providing a comprehensive assessment of smoke-related impacts.
Transform Data into Actionable Insights: We compare the data to baseline ranges and prior research to determine if marker levels indicate normal grape chemistry or wildfire smoke exposure. Each batch is then subject to strict quality-control checks to ensure accuracy and consistency. Our goal is to provide expert analysis that translates complex data into clear, actionable insights, empowering you to make informed decisions with confidence.
What’s the Difference between Free and Total Smoke Taint Testing, and Which Method is Right for Me?
Free Method
The Free Method identifies smoke-related compounds that currently affect wine quality and are immediately measurable in the grapes. While it detects compounds that are already present in their active form (free) and are identifiable today, it does not capture compounds that could pose future risk.
This method is most suitable for:
- Insurance claims
- Historical data comparison
- Measuring current smoke expression
- Comparing winery or insurer requirements
- Quality assurance efforts
Total Method
The Total Method gives a precise estimate of the highest possible smoke compounds that can be released into wine over time, including compounds tied to sugars that can be released during the aging and fermentation process. This approach supports stronger decision-making by accounting for future risks, delivering a more accurate assessment of long-term wine quality, not just current conditions.
This method is recommended for:
- Vineyard managers
- Growers
- Wineries
- Winemakers
- Grape purchasing decision makers
- Harvest decision makers
- Risk assessors
Protecting Wine Quality Starts with Reliable Testing
When wildfire smoke creates uncertainty, and wine quality and business decisions are on the line, reliable experience matters. Backed by decades of laboratory expertise, ATS has been a trusted source for testing and inspection services since 1967. Through our growing network of ISO 9001:2015-registered and ISO/IEC 17025:2017-accredited labs, we offer a full range of accredited testing services to protect your most precious assets. Since joining SGS in 2026, we have expanded our reach to support clients affected by wildfires worldwide.
Contact Us
Whether you need testing for grapes in the field or wine in vats or tanks, send us your samples, and we’ll provide data-driven results to help you move forward with confidence. Submit an online request form or call ATS at +1 (888) 287-5227 to speak with an expert today.
