(ABC) - Scientists in north-west Victoria are replicating the impact bushfires have on wine grape vineyards.

The study aims to give the wine industry a better understanding of smoke and how it taints grapes, leaving wine with an ash-like flavour.

Ricky James, from the Victorian Department of Environment and Primary Industries, says smoke taint costs the wine industry millions of dollars each year.

He says it's crucial fire agencies and growers work together to achieve a balance between protecting grapes and carrying out planned burns.

"It's building and encouraging the relationship between fire and land managers and industry to be able to work together," he said.

"So with the increase in planned burning that's taking place over the last few years, it's a very critical thing for us to work on so that growers and land managers can work in harmony."