(ABC) - A vineyard with a difference plans to study grape varieties to help reduce the impact of climate change on crops in the future.

The Vineyard of the Future project is a collaboration between the Queensland College of Wine Tourism (QCWT), Queensland Wine Industry Association and Wine Australia.

The project was established after the Granite Belt — Queensland's main winemaking region — experienced little to no frost and above-average temperatures this winter.

More than 100 grape varieties from across the globe, including Spain, Portugal and Italy, will be planted at QCWT in Stanthorpe.

Viticulturalist Mike Hayes said they would be monitored closely to see how changing weather patterns impacted growth.

Mr Hayes said the findings could assist the national wine industry into the future.

"It's been developed for the future outlook of viticulture and wine growing, not just for Queensland, but for the whole of Australia.

"We're developing varieties for the future, ones that can handle hotter conditions, cooler conditions, more humidity and wetter conditions."

The mother plantation

The project utilises what is known as a mother plantation, meaning the vines will be grown on their own roots and kept virus-free.

Mr Hayes said winemakers from southern states would be able to utilise the stock if needed.

"If something happened down south, they could come up here and grab the variety they lost," he said.