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A Technical Guide for Wine Producers
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WYNBOER WORK PROGRAMME FOR JULY 1999 1. PLANNING AND PREPARATION 1.1 Short-term Determine the quantity of fertiliser required by making use of the results of soil analyses per block as well as block productions and growth of the vines. Order the required quantity of fertiliser for delivery in early October. Make the necessary arrangements with your nursery to collect the vines grafted last year for planting this season. Complete the maintenance programme on tractors and implements. To save fuel, it is important that the engine of the tractor be correctly tuned (cost saving). Make sure that the fertiliser spreader is in a good working condition. Financial Finalise bookkeeping activities of all financial transactions that occurred during the previous month. Compare the actual monthly expenditure with budgeted monthly expenditure for the current year as well as with actual expenditure of the previous year. In the case of irregularities, identify the cause and take affirmative steps to avoid recurrence. If interested in a profitability analysis of your wine grape enterprise (Production Plan) or advice on options to finance establishment of wine grapes, contact any of the agricultural economists at the telephone numbers below. For planned capital investments and the purchase of production inputs, compare quotations of different suppliers in order to purchase at the best price. Feasibility studies and break-even analysis for purchasing farmland and other capital expansions can be compiled by Johan Truter (021 - 8073043 or 082 806 0428) and Paiter Botha (021 - 8073302 or 082 806 0429) at a predetermined hourly rate. 1.2 Long-term Evaluation and planning of farming: Analyse the production and profitability of each block by using the Block Project and Production Plan results. Check whether your replacement and cultivar pattern still fits in with your overall planning. Make adaptations where necessary. Maintenance fertilising: In existing vineyards, soil analyses for the purpose of maintenance fertilising must be carried out on a regular basis (every 4 - 5 years). 2. VINEYARD PROGRAMME Snail control: In vineyards with a very high infestation of snails trenching with a disk and/or grubbing hoe may be considered to expose the eggs. Ducks remain a good control measure. (See "Slakbeheer in wingerde", Wynboer Tegnies, Mei, 1997). After rain the practice of placing out bait should be continued. Winter pruning: In many areas the main activity this month is pruning. See Wynboer Work Programme for June regarding practical hints for winter pruning. Make a special note of the recommendations in cases where pruning should not be done now, but later in the season. Avoid pruning on rainy days as free water increases the susceptibility to infection of pruning wounds by fungi which cause dying back disease. Dying back disease can considerably shorten the productive life of vines. Dying back disease can almost be eliminated in the case of susceptible cultivars such as Riesling, Chenin blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon blanc, by treating large pruning wounds immediately after pruning with a wound sealer. Pruning wounds can also be treated with Benomil (10 g/l) with the aid of a household spraying can. In the case of vines older than 10 years which have not previously been treated against dying back disease, a large percentage of the vines may be infested with dying back disease without showing any symptoms. Teach labourers the basic principles of winter pruning (and refresh your own memory) by a thorough study of the video entitled "Wintersnoei". This video was compiled by KWV Consultation Services and is obtainable from the nearest office. Cover crop: If necessary the crop should be irrigated and/or given a top dressing. Weed control: Where the stance of weeds justifies it, weeds on the berm ("bankie") may be sprayed with a herbicide towards the end of the month. Where broadleaf weeds are a problem selective spraying should be applied. Avoid the application of systemic herbicides on new pruning wounds. Fertilising: The roots of vines start growing actively a few weeks after budding. By applying anorganic nitrogen too early some of the nitrogen may be lost through leaching and/or volatilisation. For this reason anorganic nitrogen fertiliser is applied four to six weeks after budding. The application of organic fertiliser (e.g. manure) can take place prior to cultivation in July and/or August. The nitrogen in organic fertiliser is released more slowly and can be applied before budding. Nursery vines: When grafted vines are collected from the nursery take special care to prevent drying out in transit, while they are laid in and during planting. Spray the roots thoroughly with water and cover the vines with a tarpaulin before transportation. On the farm the vines must be stored, in a cool spot in single bundles and be taken care of properly, to the prevent drying out until they are planted. Make a note of the clone numbers (cultivar and rootstock) as these may play an important role in the future choice of cultivar and rootstock. Vine planting: Marking off the vineyard, preparation of year-old nursery vines, vine planting as well as the various methods of establishing are discussed in detail in Wingerdbou in Suid-Afrika, pp. 169 - 178. See also Wynboer Tegnies No 33, July 1989, Wingerdplant, voorbereiding en vestiging van stokke. A "Guide for Establishing a Vineyard", compiled by KWV's Consultation Service which contains the latest technical and financial information on this subject can be ordered from Mrs Gerda Kriel, tel 021- 8073027. Show (and discuss) the video entitled "Wingerdplant" with labourers to brush up their knowledge. The video has been compiled by KWV Consultation Services and is obtainable from the office. In addition to the practical hints on vine planting shown in the video you should note the following: Handling of vines: In many cases the cause of a low percentage growth in the vineyards is due to the drying out of vines during planting. Ensure that only vines which can be planted within an hour or two are taken to the vineyard. Vines can be kept moist by leaving them in water in a pressing bin. To test drying out of a shoot, a healthy cutting is taken from between two nodes. Blow into one end of the cutting and drops of water should form at the other end. Preparation of the vine: Considering the high establishment costs and the life of a vineyard, only S A certified first grade (blue label) vines should be planted. Retain as many roots as possible and cut back only the longest which make planting difficult. Only vines of which the graft passed the "bend and twist" test must be planted. Planting procedure: The field should be marked out beforehand. (See video "Wingerdplant".) For planting, a hole of 30 cm x 30 cm and about a spade deep should be dug. Loosen the sides of the planting hole with a fork to prevent compaction. The soil should not be too wet during planting. The roots of the vine must be spread properly in the hole. The soil on top of the roots should be trampled lightly to remove air from around the roots. The graft should be about 7 - 10 cm above the surface of the soil to prevent the formation of scion roots which will have to be removed every year. In most cases the graft need not be covered with soil to prevent drying out. The ideal situation is to water vines thoroughly immediately after planting either by irrigation or by using a water cart. (Vines may be planted in plastic bags to replace vines which did not take, even late in the growing season). After planting: The cane is cut back to a two-bud spur as soon as the tip starts budding. This helps combat drying out. Replace vines which do not take. Laying of plastic: Plastic can be laid immediately after planting if the soil is sufficiently moist, or after rain or irrigation. However, if plastic is laid at a later stage it should be done on a cool day. Before laying the plastic the cane should be cut back to a two-bud spur. Time of planting: When irrigation water is not available planting should take place early (mid July to mid August). If planting is done at a later date irrigation is essential. Trampling/damaging of vines: When trellising poles are planted and/or irrigation systems installed, care should be taken to prevent the trampling or damaging of vines. (The ideal is to plant trellising poles and install irrigation systems before the vines are planted). Irrigation: Be careful not to over-irrigate young vines. 3. VITICULTURE CONSULTANTS IN THE VARIOUS KWV DISTRICTS For viticulture enquiries consult your nearest KWV Viticulture Consultant. Paarl/Wellington/Tulbagh: Bennie Liebenberg (021) 8073018, 083 455 5197 or Gavin Taylor (021) 8073418, 083 455 5193. Malmesbury: Johan Pienaar (021) 8870014, 083 309 7637, Nelius van Huyssteen 083 455 5198 or Bennie Liebenberg (021) 8073018, 083 455 5197. Robertson/Klein Karoo (02351 - 3017): Francois Viljoen 083 309 7626, Briaan Stipp 083 455 5196, Leon Dippenaar 083 455 5194 or Stephan Joubert 083 650 5590. Bonnievale: Hendrik Myburgh (02351) 3017 or 083 455 5195. Orange River: Dirk Malan (054) 4612299, 082 495 7999 or Dricus van der Westhuizen 083 309 7625. Stellenbosch (021- 8870014): Johan Pienaar, 083 309 7637 or Cobus van Graan 082 650 4404. Worcester (0231 - 72795): Schalk du Toit 083 303 0530, Pierre Snyman 083 455 5191, Anton Roos 083 629 1735 or Hanno van Schalkwyk 083 455 5192 Olifants River: Dricus van der Westhuizen 083 309 7625 or Nelius van Huyssteen 083 455 5198 4. OENOLOGY CONSULTANT Planning and design of new cellars (50 to 5 000 tons). A total package in this regard is now supplied by the service from cultivar recommendations, costings, cellar design incorporating the latest cellar technology through to the design and management of waste systems. Upgrading of existing cellars to enable them to become internationally competitive. Latest production methods regarding different cultivars and wine styles. Recommendations regarding problem wines, adjustments and blends. Eugene van Zyl can be contacted at 082 577 2758. 5. WINE GRAPE PLANTING MATERIAL Enquiries regarding planting material can be obtained from KWV's Plant Improvement Division:
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