22 September, 2009

Replanting - Protecting your investment

One of the most important vineyard management and cashflow decisions a grape grower faces is whether or not to replant an existing vineyard. This could mean a different variety, rootstock, or training system, or a combination of these changes. Should it be done incrementally to minimise lost production or undertaken in one go? And should the vines be under planted or totally removed? Understandably, many growers are apprehensive about making such a major decision that will, in the short-term, affect their bottom line.

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1 September, 2009

Shopping around for vines?

Then we will offer you a 100% guarantee and there’s no fertiliser in that statement.

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26 August, 2009

Inter-row treatments trialled in nursery

Viticulture nurseries typically maintain bare soil between vine rows using herbicide during spring and summer months.  In line with sustainable practice policy, efforts are being made to reduce dependence on synthetic herbicides as a means to control weeds in the nursery. Non-herbicide inter-row treatments were trialled in the 2008/09 season to assess the suitability as an alternative to the current practice being undertaken. 

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15 July, 2009

The "R" Word

Most "R" words nowadays are synonymous with the word ‘Recession'. It doesn't matter which website, blog or twitter one reads, the "R" word appears to be firmly entrenched in everyone's vocabulary.

However, the recession has provided opportunities for wine businesses to revisit and rethink how to get the best return on their investment. The vineyard is one area closely being scrutinised by wine companies as quality and cost efficiencies are paramount to improving the bottom line.

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