Existing Vineyards

White fringed weevil and young vine damage

pdf | 687 KB | by Nick Hoskins

White fringed weevil damage is not a common occurrence but occasionally I see symptoms similar to those shown here. These vines are in the second growing season but vines are susceptible in their first growing season and I have visited properties over the years where this has been the case.

Battling the grass grub

pdf | 1.1 MB

Over the past few years, I have encountered patches of poor growth in vineyards stretching from Hawkes Bay down to Central Otago. After considering the usual issues (including water availability, weed competition, plant nutrition, and so on), I started examining the vines’ root systems and found high numbers of grass grubs in the affected areas.

Top Grafting Fact Sheet

pdf | 210 KB

Vine density and vine balance

pdf | 251 KB

Throughout New Zealand’s short history of grape growing, this subject has generated some serious debate. Economics, rather than fruit quality or vine longevity, seem to have driven most spacing decisions, but a more useful discussion might examine the ways in which those issues intersect.

Yield estimates: getting it right

pdf | 186 KB

In the current climate, wine companies and vineyard owners are demanding accurate yield estimates. As vineyard managers, we need to articulate whatever procedure is in place and ensure that the owner and winemaker understand it, since a number of critical decisions hinge on the yield estimate.