A new round of a vineyard resting trial that enables red wine grape growers to save up to $2,000 per hectare in input, water, and management costs, has opened in South Australia.
The new trial will provide growers additional time to make diverse business decisions as the state’s wine industry continues to experience an oversupply of red wine grapes.
While the recent removal of tariffs that had been imposed on Australian wine sold in China has eased some of the pressures, the wine sector is still experiencing an oversupply.
This trial enables growers who do not have a contract for their 2025 crop to significantly reduce their vineyard management costs.
Research has been undertaken by South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) in collaboration with Wine Australia to find the best solution.
The research demonstrated that a plant growth regulator, Ethephon, appeared to be the most effective option to consistently reduce the yield to the point where harvest was not required.
In further positive outcomes, it also found that the yield of the vines that had been treated with Ethephon returned to commercial levels and no residues were detected in the fruit in the following season.
“We are very fortunate to have SARDI continuously undertaking world-class research, and the extremely positive research outcomes shows that Ethephon can have a real and meaningful impact in reducing the costs of red wine grape growers,” said member of the Legislative Council of South Australia, Clare Scriven.
“I have heard extensively from red wine grape growers in the Riverland and across South Australia of their concerns with managing their vineyards in the face of oversupply and I encourage them to look at this vineyard resting trial and rebate to reduce those costs.”
When applied at the end of flowering Ethephon reduces the crop while maintaining healthy foliage, which is vital for the vine to store energy to set itself up for the following season.
Doing so may enable growers to reduce fertigation, water application, disease sprays and other regular input.
In many circumstances, growers can avoid harvesting those blocks which represents a significant additional saving.
Growers involved with the trial can apply for a $40 rebate for each hectare sprayed to cover the cost of Ethephon for up to 1,000 hectares per ABN.
A technical factsheet to inform growers wishing to participate in this trial has been developed by SARDI and the Australian Wine Research Institute, which covers application rates, timing, and considerations for vineyard management.
It also outlines the potential risks and knowledge gaps involved in trialling this method.
Given an approximate cost of $2,500 per hectare to manage red wine grapes, an inexpensive and temporary method to reduce production is a valuable vineyard management option as an alternative to removing vines.
For more information on the vineyard resting trial and to apply, visit: pir.sa.gov.au/vineyard-resting(external site).