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Wine Grapes

Objective: Produce the best most flavourful and well-rounded grapes while delivering a yield outcome for the grower.

 

Soil fertility and amelioration — humified compost blended with lime + gypsum (spread)

Typically apply 2t of compost and lime gypsum to in accordance with soil tests

  1. Soil Amelioration – Building the Biological Foundation

Objective:
Improve soil structure, restore mineral balance, and stimulate biological activity to increase nutrient efficiency, water infiltration and holding capacity.

Key Practices:

  • Compost Application: Incorporate 2t/ha of mature compost to increase organic carbon, buffer pH, and feed soil microbes.
  • Ameliorants: Apply lime or gypsum based on soil test results to balance calcium and magnesium ratios, improve cation exchange, and reduce compaction.

Outcomes:

  • Enhanced soil aggregation and infiltration
  • Increased microbial biomass and nutrient cycling
  • Improved root penetration and access to subsoil moisture
  • Greater nutrient efficiency and reduced reliance on synthetic inputs

Timing:
Apply during autumn winter to get winter rain on and incorporate it into soil.

 

  1. Fertigation – Feeding the Crop Demand

Objective:
Establish a balanced nutrient base to support growth and biological processes throughout the season.

Key Practices:

  • Fertigate 1-2 applications containing calcium acetate, worm juice and fish hydrolysate
  • Integrate humic and fulvic substances to nitrogen sources if applied improve cation exchange and buffer nutrient release.

Outcomes:

  • Increased nutrient use efficiency
  • Stable, biologically active root zone for season-long growth

Timing:
Just prior to flowering and once again post flowering

  1. 1. Reproduction and cell division

Objective:
Enhance flowering and produce large fruitlets with good skin to pulp ratios.

Key Foliar Nutrients:

Calcium (Ca) Phosphorus (P) Zinc (Zn) Molybdenum (Mo), Manganese (Mn), Sulfur (S) and Carbon Sources (Fulvic & Carbohydrates)

Outcome:

  • Higher nitrogen use efficiency (less nitrate accumulation, more protein)
  • Stronger cell structure and reduced lodging
  • Improved chlorophyll density and greener canopy
  • Reduced pathogen and pest pressure

 

Typical Timing:
Mid-tillering to flag leaf stage (before peak nitrogen uptake).

  1. Foliar Corrective Nutrition – Precision Feeding Guided by DSA

Objective:
Monitor and adjust crop nutrition throughout the season based on Differential SAP Analysis (DSA) to maximise yield potential and grain quality.
DSA can be taken from 5 leaf on.

  1. 1.Photosynthesis – Maximising Energy Production

Objective:
Optimise chlorophyll production, stomatal regulation, and enzyme function to increase the plant’s ability to capture sunlight and produce energy.

Key Foliar Nutrients:

Magnesium (Mg), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn) and Potassium (K)

Outcome:

  • Greater chlorophyll density and leaf area
  • Increased energy efficiency and growth rate
  • Improved water-use efficiency under stress