Approaches To Grape Growing

Question 1

Conventional Viticulture

Answer 1

The traditional use of mechanization, chemicals, irrigation and clonal inputs. Also a monoculture where weeds are ploughed and sprayed with herbicides. Fertilizers are often used.

Question 2

Sustainable Viticulture

Answer 2

Considers the economical, social and environmental sustainability with a primary focus on the environment. Promotes the natural ecosystem in the vineyard, maintain biodiversity, waste management and minimal chemical and energy use. No clear set of standards are used.

Question 3

Integrated pest management

Answer 3

Key part of sustainable viticulture. Similar to organic, but it is prepared to use chemicals. Grape growers monitors potential problems and only intervened when an economic threshold is met.

Question 4

Organic viticulture

Answer 4

Seeks to improve the soil of the vineyard and the range of microbes and animals, such as earthworms. Rejects the use of synthetic fertilizers, fungicides, herbicides and pesticides. Features include the use of compost, cover crops, natural fertilizers, reduction of monoculture.

Question 5

Biodynamic Viticulture

Answer 5

Includes organic practices but also includes philosophy and cosmology. Vineyard soil is seen as part of a connected system with planet earth. Can use traditional chemicals and sprays like sulfur and copper.

Question 6

Preparation 500

Answer 6

Biodynamic practice where cow manure is stuffed into cows horn and buried through winter. Inside of horn is put into water and water memorized power of preparation then sprayed on soil.

Question 7

Preparation 501

Answer 7

Cows horn filled with silica and buried for 6 months. It’s dug up dynamised and sprayed on soil. Thought to promote plant growth.

Question 8

Biodynamic Compost

Answer 8

In biodynamic viticulture biodynamic compost first activated by a series of starters. Tiny quantities of buried in a deers bladder for example. These preparations 502-507 assist in decomposition of compost.

Question 9

Precision viticulture

Answer 9

Makes use of data collected from vineyard to respond to changes from plot to plot and row to row. Data is collected from sensors either in aircraft or mounted on tractor or harvester. Only used in large scale or high value given the upfront in sensors, gps devices and software.