Terroir imparts the wine characteristics that distinguish where it is from. Most high-value wines strongly reflect a particular terroir (i.e. climate, topography and soil). Climate and topography effects are usually obvious, while soil effects are not. Yet vines interact everyday with soil to extract moisture and nutrients – an interaction that imparts particular fruit characters. Most vineyards, however, contain several key soil types – meaning even single vineyard wines are a blend of specific terroirs. Soil profile excavations allow morphological, physical and chemical assessment of key soils, improving understanding of root growth issues, nutrition, irrigation practice, environmental management, and the terroir of each ‘place’. Mapping key soils also assists vineyard planning, management and wine making. Knowing more about vineyard soils – and their landscape formation story – also supports marketing of fine wines.

For more information about vineyard soil characterisation or key soil mapping, contact James Hall of Juliet Creek Consulting on 0447 400 092 or at [email protected].