Committed to produce highest quality vines through sustainable practices

21 April, 2008

Producing high quality grafted grapevines through sustainable practices 2007 is a core element of Corbans Viticulture business. In 2007 the company was one of the first grape propagation nurseries to adopt the Grafted Grapevine Standard (GGS) and the first grape propagation nursery in New Zealand to be accredited as sustainable by Sustainable Winegrowers (SWNZ). Most recently the company has become the first New Zealand grape propagation nursery to join the carboNZero programme.

GRAFTED GRAPEVINE STANDARD (GGS)

The Grafted Grapevine Standard was developed in 2007 by New Zealand Winegrowers in association with the New Zealand Viticulture Nursery Association. The focus of GGS is:

• The quality of the final product - grafted grapevines.
• Traceability of grafting material to its origin.
• Viral testing of rootstock and budwood propagation material for leaf roll Type 3.
• Trueness to type of all rootstock and budwood used for grafting using ampelography and DNA technology.

SWNZ ACCREDITATION

Sustainable Winegrowers New Zealand (SWNZ) programme began in 1995, with 510 vineyards and 64 wineries currently accredited. A further 66 vineyards and seven wineries have joined the programme and will be audited in 2008. SWNZ is an industry initiative directed by New Zealand Winegrowers, to provide a framework for best viticulture and winemaking practices that protect the environment (www.nzwine.com/swnz).

The SWNZ programme key focus is on vineyard and nursery management practices including the use of regular and timely monitoring of pests and diseases, soil and foliar testing to determine agrichemical usage, the recycling of green waste and water, the control of diseases in such a way as to reduce the likelihood of agrichemical resistance and to increase the biodiversity in the soil, plant and animal life in the vineyard.

Changes made in nursery practices as a result of the SWNZ programme

As a result of joining the SWNZ programme Corbans Viticulture has made several changes to their nursery operations in the last 12 to 18 months:

There is a greater emphasis on soil, leaf and petiole testing to determine applications of environmentally friendly fertilisers, food for beneficial microbes and soil conditioners. Refer to figure 1.0.

Regular monitoring and reporting of pests and diseases as well as beneficial microbes has resulted in higher health vines. Refer to figure 2.0.

Surveys of rootstock blocks and vines prior to sale using a combination of looking for disease symptoms, traditional growing of fungi onto agar, Elisa testing as well as a range of PCR testing methods.

There has been a significant improvement in Corbans production systems, resulting in an overall improvement in vine quality, larger root and shoot growth in young vines, better yields in the nursery, and improved soil structure and biodiversity. The increase in costs associated with more comprehensive testing and monitoring programmes have been offset by reduction in agrichemical use and increased yields in the nursery. Future challenges to improve sustainability in the nursery will include the use of new technology for weed control, control of fungal, viral and bacterial disease, more efficient energy usage and the recycling of green waste and water.

Fig 1.0 Developing a better understanding of the soil and grapevine

Fig 2.0 Pests and diseases monitored under SWNZ programme

carboNZero ACCREDITATION

The carboNZero programme has been created by Landcare Research and encourages and supports individuals and organizations to minimise the impact on climate change by providing them with tools to measure, manage and mitigate their carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions(CO2 emissions are a major contributor to climate change).

As part of Corbans participation in this programme the company will demonstrate continuous improvement in reducing emissions at source whilst constantly improving energy efficiency. It also allows the company to demonstrate their commitment to maintaining and enhancing New Zealand’s environment.

Fossil fuel and electricity usage will be reviewed annually and strategies implemented to reduce consumption. New cool stores and callusing rooms are being designed and built to reduce electricity demand. Summer husbandry practices are being developed to minimize tractor use and native trees are being planted to increase carbon sequestration. Unavoidable green house gas emissions are offset by purchase of Carbon credits from the EBEX21 reforestation project.