7 April 1994 Lincoln Seminar on Vineyard Establishment

A seminar giving precise details of the steps required to establish a successful and profitable vineyard will be held at Lincoln University on Saturday 7 May.

The topic was requested at Lincoln University's highly successful 1993 series of grape and wine seminars which altogether attracted over 300 participants and dealt with aspects of grape growing, wine production and vineyard management. Now the series continues into 1994 with this latest subject.

"Today there is an unprecedented community interest in grape production and winemaking with many people having ideas of establishing their own vineyard and winery," says Dr Mike Trought who is in charge of viticultural teaching and research at Lincoln University.

"While this is gratifying in that it clearly shows that Lincoln's role in providing much of the research that led to the establishment of southern vineyards was not misplaced, such endeavours do not always lead to success.

"Many factors can transpire to reduce profitability. Some, like frost, hail and cold summers, are largely beyond our control, but others can be controlled and the seminars we will be giving aim to optimise success by making growers and intending growers aware of the importance of sound planning and management."

Topics to be covered in the May 7 seminar include a detailed study of the pruning and training options, soil preparation, irrigation, trellis construction, varieties and rootstocks, pest, disease, weed and bird control, and methods to ensure that the vines provide grapes of sound quality. A session on budgets and financial planning will also be included.

The registration fee for the seminar is $50 and enrolment details are available by contacting Errol Costello, PO Box 84, Lincoln University, telephone (03) 3253-832, or by contacting Dr David Jackson or Dr Mike Trought on (03) 3252-811.

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