The Australian Wine Research Institute

Research to Practice one-day workshops are designed to facilitate practical training for grape growers, winemakers and associated personnel. The model upholds the principle established by the Cooperative Research Centre Viticulture which was to convey the latest research findings to industry and improve the levels of adoption of best practice management techniques.

The currently available modules include the recently-released Alternative varieties: emerging options for a changing environment which sets out to showcase the potential of emerging winegrape varieties from what is a largely untapped resource. The Managing Grapevine Nutrition and Integrated Pest Management training provide the latest ‘best practice’ strategies for viticulturists.

Research to Practice® workshops

Sustainable viticulture: a comparison of organic, biodynamic and conventional practices.

Prepared by Luke Johnston

Land managers have many options in terms of which practices to use in the production of their crops.

This training module uses the latest research to compare organic and biodynamic viticultural practices with conventional vineyard management. Attendees will be encouraged to critically evaluate each of these vineyard management techniques and philosophies and will gain an appreciation of the environmental, social and economic goals being sought. This workshop will raise awareness of sustainable viticultural practices and address the associated land management issues.

Managing grapevine nutrition in a changing environment

Prepared by: Mardi Longbottom

Changes in temperature, rainfall and evaporation are predicted to varying degrees across Australia’s winegrape-growing regions. This will directly affect both the ability of vines to extract nutrients from the soil and nutrient mobility within the vine.

The provision of adequate nutrition is integral to successful vineyard management and the production of grapes with specific compositional attributes.

This regionally-specific training will give land managers an awareness of the implications of climate change on grapevine nutritional status, skills in identifying nutrient deficiencies/toxicities and strategies to rectify them. It will be beneficial to the maintenance of productive capacity of the land and focus on sustainable methodologies.

Integrated pest management for changing viticultural environments

Prepared by: David Braybrook

Forecast weather patterns for Australia’s winegrape-growing regions will directly affect the life-cycles of grapevine pests and diseases.

The ability to recognise and respond to pest threats in a timely and sustainable manner is critical in maintaining yield and quality while meeting economic, social and environmental responsibilities. Moreover, the preservation of grapevine health is integral in the production of grapes with targeted compositional attributes.

Alternative varieties – emerging options for a changing environment

Prepared by Libby Tassie and Peter Dry

The warmer temperatures predicted for Australia will change our wine growing country and potentially shift varietal suitability across regions. This workshop will give viticulturists and winemakers an insight into alternative varieties. The training manual includes researched findings on 40 varieties that may have potential in the Australian environment. An in-depth analysis of 15 varieties selected for regional suitability will include viticultural and winemaking characteristics as well as the historical background of each variety. A wine tasting component will showcase local and/or imported wines from the varieties that have potential to succeed in the local conditions.

Winery wastewater management

Prepared by Karl Forsyth

Climate change, drought and water shortage are real and immediate threats for the Australian grape and wine sector. Efficient water use, wastewater management, water reuse and recycling are therefore key strategies for a sustainable production.

This workshop details key principles of winery wastewater management for both small to large wineries. Cleaner production opportunities, best practice treatment options, problem solving and water reuse will be discussed through a series of case studies. Participants will be guided through the recently-released GWRDC winery wastewater management and recycling project publications: Business fundamentals, Operational Guidelines and Resource Kit. The course is designed to be practical with many examples and case studies of practical and worthwhile opportunities to improve the efficiency of winery wastewater.