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”
Tag Archives: sustainable viticulture
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”
Biochar in the Vineyard
In this article I investigate the potential benefits of using biochar in the vineyard. What is biochar and how is it being used in New Zealand and Australia? Further afield in California, the results of a three-year field study with Pinot Noir vines planted over different soil treatments are due to be released later thisContinue reading “Biochar in the Vineyard”