21 December 1992 Lincoln to Hold New Series of Seminars on Grapes & Grape-Growing

A new series of viticulture seminars is planned by Lincoln University to bridge the information gap as a new generation of grape-growers gets established in the South Island and southern North Island.

Before the latter part of the 1970s there were no vineyards in Canterbury and only a few elsewhere in the South Island. Today Canterbury alone has over 60 and others can be found as far south as Central Otago, Queenstown and Wanaka.

It was research conducted at Lincoln College (now Lincoln University) which showed the potential of southern areas for viticulture and oenology (grape-growing and winemaking).

Lincoln's Dr David Jackson, who with Graeme Steans initiated this work, says it was not only the research which stimulated the emergence of grape-growing in the South Island but the way the findings were communicated to the public. A series of seminars held by Lincoln acquainted people with what was discovered and the commercial potential that seemed possible.

Now, Dr Jackson says, there are good reasons for a further round of seminars to be held.

"A whole new generation of growers is currently planting grapes or thinking of planting them, and the need for information is once again considerable.

"In addition, Lincoln University has recently taken on a number of new staff members with considerable expertise in grapes and wine and it will be good for growers to meet them and hear what they have to say.

"There is, for example, Dr David Heatherbell who joined the staff in 1991 and is a recognised world expert in wine science. Also Dr Michael Trought has joined the University from Marlborough where he was Director of the Marlborough Research Centre. He specialises in viticulture."

The first seminar in the new series is aimed at beginners who want to establish a vineyard or are just starting to plant one. Later seminars will give more advanced information and introduce aspects of wine production.

"As those already involved in grape-growing know, the development of a vineyard is not a licence to print money. What is clear, however, is that for a vineyard to be successful everything must be done efficiently and professionally using the best data currently available.

"Our seminars will be designed to help achieve this aim," says Dr Jackson.

Topics to be covered in the first seminar include choice of site, understanding how vines grow, choosing varieties and rootstocks, pruning and training, managing soil and water, managing pets and diseases, and financial management.

The date for this first seminar in the series is 6 February, the venue is Lincoln University, Canterbury, and the cost is $35 (which includes a lunch and morning and afternoon teas). Registrations and enquiries can be made through Dr David Jackson or Dr Mike Trought, PO Box 84, Lincoln University, Canterbury, or by phoning (03) 325-3808.

Ian Collins, Journalist, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand.