Viticulture Practices
Barossa Vineyards - our growers, some of whom are third, fourth or fifth generation vignerons, are proud of their stewardship and aim to leave their family vineyards in good shape for the next generation
Water used to supplement natural rainfall is limited
- Use of irrigation water from bores or the River Murray is metered at 1 megalitre per hectare. The Co-operative Research Centre for Viticulture (Sept 2002)estimated efficient irrigation at between 1 and 2 megalitres per hectare.
- Water is applied in the vineyards by efficient drippers, not overhead sprinklers.
- Some old vines are dry grown.
- Soil moisture monitoring to improve water use efficiency.
Use of recycled water – winery waste & sewerage treatment works.
Minimal Inputs of chemicals
- Cool wet winters & hot summers results in low incidence of disease.
Minimal requirements for fungicides – some growers use none; others just use small quantities of copper & sulphur. - Spray regimes monitored for compliance with government and export regulations.
- Soil structure being improved as rotary hoes are used less.
- Annual cover crops improve soil structure & water holding ability and control weeds in between rows of vines.
Growing vines with uniform vigour & uniform maturity
- Using drought tolerant rootstock with more intrusive deep root systems to allow the vine to go deeper for water - rootstocks such as 140 Ruggeri and 1103 Paulsen may be planted.
- Understanding of soil types to determine requirements.
- Trellising, pruning systems and canopy management to raise the level of leaf to fruit ratio.
Working with Wine Industry Bodies
- Winemakers’ Federation of Australia’s Australian Wine Industry Stewardship - Grower survey
