The possibility to access a complete genome sequence allows the development of new resources for high-throughput functional analysis without a priori, whole genome syntenic approaches for the detection of badly predicted genes or of conserved regulatory boxes. It also facilitates the identifi cation of key genes by combined genetic and genomics approaches. Two parallel projects using different strategies for the sequencing of the grapevine genome were initiated. The fi rst one aimed at the development of a reference genome sequence using a near homozygous genotype and the second one at the sequencing of a highly heterozygous high quality cultivar. Beside giving access to two annotated draft sequences of the genome of Vits vinifera L., the two projects developed genomic resources such as BAC libraries, BAC end sequences, sequenced full length cDNA libraries, physical and genetic maps. They offer very good material to assess the infl uence of heterozygosity on the development of physical maps or whole genome shotgun sequences and a fi rst rough view on the polymorphism between the two haplotypes of a grapevine variety. Finally, they provided a fi rst picture of the grapevine highly heterozygous genome, with a structure not much rearranged from the genome of its ancient hexaploid ancestor and the expansion of specifi c gene families.