A new round of a vineyard resting trial that enables red wine grape growers to save up to $2000 per hectare in input, water, and management costs has opened this week.
The new trial will provide growers additional time to make diverse business decisions as the state’s wine industry continues to experience an oversupply of red wine grapes, following challenging market conditions and changing global preferences.
Although the removal of tariffs imposed on Australian wine sold in China eased some of the pressures, the wine sector is still experiencing an oversupply, so this trial hopes to help growers who do not have a contract for their 2025 crop to significantly reduce their vineyard management costs.
Research was undertaken by South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) in collaboration with Wine Australia, which showed that the application of the plant growth regulator Ethephon appeared to be the most effective option to consistently reduce the yield to the point where harvest was not required.
In further positive outcomes, it also found that the yield of the vines that had been treated with Ethephon returned to commercial levels and no residues were detected in the fruit in the following season.
When applied at the end of flowering Ethephon reduces the crop while maintaining healthy foliage, which is vital for the vine to store energy to set itself up for the following season.
This enables growers to reduce fertigation, water application, disease sprays and other regular input, meaning in many circumstances, growers can avoid harvesting those blocks, offering a significant saving.
Growers involved with the trial can apply for a $40 rebate for each hectare sprayed to cover the cost of Ethephon for up to 1,000 hectares per ABN.
A technical factsheet to inform growers wishing to participate in this trial has been developed by SARDI and the Australian Wine Research Institute, which covers application rates, timing, and considerations for vineyard management, as well as outlining the potential risks and knowledge gaps involved in trialling this method.
The rebate is in addition to additional support rolled out to the wine sector in 2024, which has also included a $1.85 million package to re-engage with China, a $3.5 million long-term viability support package for the grape and wine sector from the federal Labor government, up to $1,500 direct financial support for red wine grape growers through the Rural Business Support Relief fund, $260,000 towards support for grape growers to investigate diversification options, $50,000 for community events focusing on mental health and wellbeing, and additional funds in the recent state budget directed towards financial planning and counselling for producers.
For more information on the vineyard resting trial and to apply, visit: pir.sa.gov.au/vineyard-resting.
