Get the latest on sustainable vineyard practices

New ways of working with nature to produce quality wine will be the focus of a series of workshops to be held in the Hunter Valley, Mudgee and Yass Valley from the 5 June 2012.

NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) Extension Viticulturist, Tony Somers, said the workshops provide the wine industry with the latest information on sustainable vineyard practices and innovative weed and disease management strategies.

"The workshops take in some of NSW’s key wine producing regions and feature leading national and international vineyard experts," Mr Somers said.

"We are thrilled to have a visiting US expert who will explain how sheep can play a role in reducing weeds and controlling costs.

"Alice Palmer from University of Tasmania will present exciting new research on how compost tea can suppress grapevine diseases and David Metcalf will discuss the control of Botrytis bunch rot using natural bio-control products.

"David Bruer, a pioneer of organic wine production, will present a 16 year case study into sustainable production and profits.

"Other presentations include controlling diseases and insects by combining plant biodiversity, soft fungicides and plant nutrition in vineyards."

Mr Somers said NSW wine growers have a strong interest in improving soil health, reducing chemical inputs and developing low impact management systems.

"I encourage wine growers to attend one of these workshops, as it is a great opportunity to learn more about applying innovative best management practice for the production of high quality wine," Tony concluded.

Support for the workshops was provided by the NSW Wine Industry Association and the Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation (GWRDC) ‘Grass Roots initiative’.

Event details:

• 5 June Hunter Valley Tuscan Wine Estate 8.00 am to 4.00 pm RSVP: 02 4991 4533 
• 6 June Mudgee AREC Mudgee 8.00 am to 4.00 pm RSVP: 02 63721311
• 7 June Yass Valley Murrumbateman (venue TBC) 8.00 am to 4.00 pm RSVP: 0418474123

Please contact Tony Somers on 02 4939 8957 for further information on the wine growers workshops.

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