Image courtesy New Zealand Winegrowers Inc.
Vineyard profitability is key to ensuring a thriving wine industry. As costs continue to rise, producers must adapt and innovate to remain profitable. A new research programme in New Zealand called Next Generation Viticulture, led by Bragato Research Institute (BRI), has been designed to address these challenges. The programme will explore ways to grow vines more efficiently and aims to deliver knowledge needed for growers to improve their productivity, business viability and sustainability. Each grower will strike their own balance about which of the anticipated benefits they want to prioritise, such as:
- Increase profitability by increasing yield per hectare without increasing inputs
- Reduce variability between seasons and improved yield predictability
- Retain or improve grape and wine quality
- Reduce emissions and energy use, via less tractor passes and sprays per tonne of fruit
- Reduce irrigated water usage per tonne of fruit
“The programme’s vision is to increase the profitability of the New Zealand wine industry by improving vineyard productivity, reducing variability in yields, while delivering exceptional quality New Zealand wines the world demands,” said New Zealand Winegrowers chair Clive Jones.
Jones made the announcement following the signing of a new partnership between the Ministry for Primary Industries, New Zealand Winegrowers and seven wine business co-investors contributing cash and in-kind. Bragato Research Institute is contracted to manage and deliver the programme.
Next Generation Viticulture will run over seven years, building on research developed and applied in New Zealand premium horticultural crops. The programme will trial several innovative planting and canopy configurations to maximise light interception by both buds and leaves to increase the number and distribution of high-quality fruiting sites on each vine. These trials will be built across a network of commercial vineyard properties in the greater Marlborough region.
BRI’s new CEO Dr Juliet Ansell explained that the programme was aligned with BRI’s research strategy.
“We aim to provide the tools and knowledge for the industry to make better winegrowing decisions, as the programme develops, we will hold regular workshops and field days to deliver knowledge to the benefit of the wider industry,” said Dr Ansell.
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