Wine workshop popular

The Marlborough Express
Last updated 12:00 17/11/2009

Relevant offers

Rural

Crowds flock to show Region's dairy record tops most Improved environment net result Dogs have their day in Ward More irrigation likely to be halted Frost fans on early to beat cold snap Dog trials Bird scarers warned after pellets found Dog trial results Bollard deserves a pat on the back

Not even a downpour of cold rain could keep people away from the Marlborough Organic Winegrowers' first workshop.

More than 35 people turned up for the field day last week at Churton vineyard in the Waihopai Valley to learn about under-vine weed management, inter-row cover crops and how to encourage beneficial insects in the vineyard. Committee member Mandy Weaver said there was a great mix of people, from winery owners to people new to organics, who braved a "foul day".

Speakers included Te Whare Ra owner Jason Flowerday and Ian Ewart of Villa Maria who discussed their respective wineries' approaches to cover crops, which plants they used and the rotation sequence of planting, and Sam Scarrat spoke about the use of plants, such as buckwheat and phacelia, to encourage beneficial insects. After hearing the theory, the participants walked through Churton's vineyards to see simultaneous management of organic and non-organic blocks.

The committee plans to hold its next workshop, on canopy management, in January.

Ad Feedback
0 comments
Post a comment

Post comment


Required

Required. Will not be published.
Registration is not required to post a comment but if you sign in, you will not have to enter your details each time you comment. Registered members also have access to extra features. Create an account now.

I have read and accepted the terms and conditions
These comments are moderated. Your comment, if approved, may not appear immediately. Please direct any queries about comment moderation to the Opinion Editor at blogs@stuff.co.nz
Special offers

Featured Promotions