Why this project is important
The Macedon Ranges vineyards are the coldest in mainland Australia and produce outstanding cool climate wines. These highly labour-intensive vineyards need a reliable method to increase the time vine roots and grapes can spend at beneficial temperatures with cost-effective and efficient management practices.
Research shows that in mulched vines, warmer roots and bunch zones in spring and cooler conditions in summer will increase grape and wine quality. Moreover, non-herbicide weed suppression under vine is a goal for many vineyards in the region.
The concept is based on trials undertaken on the Mornington Peninsula between 2015 and 2018, which saw positive grape quality results from pinot noir with recycled composted mulch under vine.
Results
The results from this project are now available as a case study, including a full cost-benefit to support growers with decisions about using recycled organic waste under vine and the potential yield increases.
Compost calculator: how much do I need?
An electronic mulch calculator will be available for vineyards to calculate how much mulch is needed for the under vine area.
The vineyard mulch calculator is currently under development. Growers can also use this table format to look up the information without a calculation.
Mulch cover | Wide & high | Medium | Narrow & low | Wide & high | Medium | Narrow & low | Wide & high | Medium | Narrow & low | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Width of mulch undervine (m) | examples | 1 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 1 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 1 | 0.9 | 0.7 |
Height of layer (m) | 0.075 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.075 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.075 | 0.05 | 0.05 | |
Length for calculation (1m) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
Volume m3 per m row | WxHxL | 0.075 | 0.045 | 0.035 | 0.075 | 0.045 | 0.035 | 0.075 | 0.045 | 0.035 |
Row spacing | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
Vine row spacing (m) | examples | 2.7 | 2.7 | 2.7 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.2 | 2.2 | 2.2 |
No. of rows per ha | 100 m/row spacing | 37.04 | 37.04 | 37.04 | 40.0 | 40.0 | 40.0 | 45.45 | 45.45 | 45.45 |
Volume in m3 per ha | volume per m row x rows x 100 m | 277.8 | 166.7 | 129.6 | 300.0 | 180.0 | 140.0 | 340.9 | 204.5 | 159.1 |
Cost of composted mulch/m3 | example | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
Cost of mulch/ha of vineyard | volume in m3 x cost/m3 | $6,944 | $4,167 | $3,241 | $7,500 | $4,500 | $3,500 | $8,523 | $5,114 | $3,977 |
70-100 Mulchable block size (ha) | example | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 |
Cost for my block | cost per ha x block size | $3,472 | $2,083 | $1,620 | $3,750 | $2,250 | $1,750 | $4,261 | $2,557 | $1,989 |