On behalf of the organising committee and our sponsors it is a pleasure to invite you to the IX International Symposium on Grapevine Physiology and Biotechnology to be held in between the 21st and 26th of April, 2013 in Chile. This symposium has as main goal to show the latest advances in research across all the disciplines dealing with viticulture from applied physiology to molecular biology with a focus on where new techniques in biotechnology are being used to increase the present understanding of vine physiology. The symposium will be hosted in La Serena city which is the capital of the Coquimbo region one of the most important viticulture regions of Chile. Famous for the traditional cultivation of aromatic varieties for the production of Pisco (aromatic spirit), this region is also reputed for its high standard table grape production and its modern wine industry. We are in particular pleased to advise that pre and post-Symposium tours to other Chilean wine regions will be organized to provide an opportunity for delegates to know more about the Chilean wines.