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Australian Viticulture was founded by Winetitles in 1997 to meet the specific needs of Australia's grapegrowers. Our articles feature the latest information on viticultural technology from research centres around the country, all clearly and precisely presented by staff and contributors who are experts in the field. We aim to help our readers face the challenges of a changing industry.

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May/June 2010

The May/June 2010 issue of Australian Viticulture, Australia’s only magazine dedicated to the business of viticulture, looks at various ways that growers are managing vineyard costs.

In the vineyard machinery feature, Hobart optometrist-turned-winegrape-grower John Rees spoke to assistant editor Sonya Logan about the method he has devised to produce biodiesel made from used cooking oil.

Still on the vineyard machinery theme, several Australian Viticulture readers shared their experiences with mechanical fruit thinning, which they say allowed for earlier ripening of grapes, higher sugar concentration, increased anthocyanin content, and reduced costs involved with the thinning treatment versus hand thinning.

Winetitles journalist Stephanie Keoghan spoke to the owners of two Australian vineyards that have taken the step of using sheep as an alternative means of managing weeds. The property owners are finding that the sheep can provide another income stream in the process.

Staying with the theme of wanting to improve business conditions in 2011 and beyond, Practical Viticulture columnist Tony Hoare reflects on the 2010 vintage, sharing his views on what needs to be taken into account on the part of both wineries and growers.

Australian Viticulture’s Tasmanian correspondent Mark Smith was in the Coonawarra late last year to participate in the Coonawarra Celebrations and Barrel Series Auction. While he was there, Smith met Wynns Coonawarra Estate regional vineyard manager Allen Jenkins, who gave a tour of the vineyard and talked about the work and investment that was being undertaken to ‘renovate’ another of Wynns’ vineyards to ensure long-term, quality fruit production.

Mildura correspondent Terry Gange interviewed Murray Valley Winegrowers’ chief executive Mike Stone shortly after his resignation from the grower body in mid-April. In the discussion, Stone said he’s “leaving the post with many of the same issues on the table” as when he started nine years ago, with many issues still unresolved.

In other reports, Yalumba viticulturists Nick Dry and Dan Newson discuss their experience with Tempranillo pruning, canopy management, irrigation, ripening, harvest and clonal selection, following the ‘vineyard variety walk’ held in February this year.

Pizzini Wines winemaker Joel Pizzini introduces this issue’s Nebbiolo Varietal Report, giving a history of the variety in its Italian homeland and talks about how it arrived in Australia. Pizzini shares his excitement about a new Nebbiolo clone that he has trialed, saying he “expects it to produce another jump in the quality of Nebbiolo made”.

To secure your copy of the May/June 2010 Australian Viticulture and have full access to the reports mentioned, plus other practical information including the latest edition of The United Grower, featuring the most up-to-date news from Wine Grape Growers’ Australia, visit www.winebiz.com.au/ausvit/ or telephone Winetitles on +618 8369 9500.