Cover crops at Felton Road, Bannockburn, Central Otago. Credit: Gareth King Scientific research has benefitted greatly in the last decade from advances in technology. As a result, previously agreed paradigms in some areas of research have shifted. Understanding the role living plants have to play in cover crop management is one such example. To readContinue reading “Grapegrower and Winemaker: Managing cover crops”
Author Archives: Happy Wine Woman
Grapegrower and Winemaker: Irrigation
Croptide sensor in situ Cloudy Bay Marlborough. Credit: Cloudy Bay Water management is an increasingly visible part of sustainability and this is pushing the wine industry to review current irrigation practices in a bid to reduce usage. To read about the new technology and scientific research being used to manage irrigation in New Zealand vineyards,Continue reading “Grapegrower and Winemaker: Irrigation”
Grapegrower and Winemaker: Sowing cover crops
Cover crops at Felton Road, Bannockburn, Central Otago. Credit: Gareth King, Felton Road There are many reasons to plant cover crops and if they are to be part of vineyard management, then the first task will be determining which sowing method is best suited to the site in question. Informed decision making in the earlyContinue reading “Grapegrower and Winemaker: Sowing cover crops”
Gourmet Traveller WINE: Hail Hawke’s Bay
Image credit: Hawke’s Bay Wine It’s hard not to be charmed by Hawke’s Bay, when laid at one’s feet is a bounty of wineries, local produce and stunning natural beauty against a backdrop of balmy sunny days. On the east coast of the New Zealand’s North Island, clustered around the southern end of the bayContinue reading “Gourmet Traveller WINE: Hail Hawke’s Bay”
Grapegrower and Winemaker: Purpose-built tools
Image: Amisfield cleaver, Central Otago. © Simone Madden-Grey Meet with any vineyard manager and soon enough the talk will turn to the latest piece of ingenuity to solve a problem in the vineyard. For this month’s edition of Grape & Wine I share some of the discoveries made during my last time home to NewContinue reading “Grapegrower and Winemaker: Purpose-built tools”
Halliday magazine: Grand Central
When it comes to travel in New Zealand the biggest challenge is trying to decide which beautiful spot to visit. Fortunately the effortless beauty of Central Otago makes the decision easy and I have a bounty of options for your review…. click here to read more. Further afield, east of Central Otago is the theContinue reading “Halliday magazine: Grand Central”
The Drinks Business: Water Management
The Drinks Business Green Issue January 2022 Water conservation is an integral part of the wine industry’s response to drought, water scarcity and increasing global temperatures. Events such as Jackson Family Wines Rooted for Good, Michelle Bouffard’s Tasting Climate Change and The Porto Protocol – Climate Talks provide a valuable means of sharing water managementContinue reading “The Drinks Business: Water Management”
Grapegrower and Winemaker: Non-chemical weed management
Image: (L-R) Sytze Riemersma, Archie and Rudi Bauer at Quartz Reef, Central Otago. © Simone Madden-Grey Recent studies documenting increased herbicide resistance across New Zealand together with key export markets reviewing glyphosate use is driving interest in non-chemical weed management techniques amongst grape growers. To find out what techniques are being used in New Zealand clickContinue reading “Grapegrower and Winemaker: Non-chemical weed management”
Grapegrower and Winemaker: Diverse cover crops
Image credit: Marlborough OWNZ Winter Symposia, Lisa Duncan In response to continued pressure on natural resources, viticulture has extended its focus beyond the vineyard to a broader consideration of ecosystems. Sowing a mixed cover crop supports a diverse ecosystem and offers gains in soil health, pest pressure management and ultimately, the production of quality fruit.Continue reading “Grapegrower and Winemaker: Diverse cover crops”
Grapegrower and Winemaker: Technology in the vineyard
Image credit: Jonas Werner Hohensee At the nexus of organic viticulture is wellbeing and a holistic view of sustainable land management that takes into account vineyard health and the health of those working in the vineyard. This integrated approach to viticulture is gaining traction and being driven forward in some part, by advances in technology.Continue reading “Grapegrower and Winemaker: Technology in the vineyard”
Simone Madden-Grey : Happy Wine Woman 