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Author Archives: organicwinegrowersnz
Welcome!
This website shares the pilot trial of the Organic Focus Vineyard project, which monitored the first year of organic grape growing at Mission Estate, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand during the 2010-11 growing season. The focus vineyard project has now expanded … Continue reading
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A first organic harvest
By Caine Thompson, Mission Estate Viticulturist Veraison to harvest was a challenging time in Hawkes Bay as a grape grower. During this period all blocks in the trial were well set up, with nice open canopies and good balance in … Continue reading
Posted in Vineyard manager reports
Tagged botrytis, harvest, monitoring, powdery mildew
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Who will be the next Organic Focus Vineyard?
Exciting news: we have been awarded funding from the MAF Sustainable Farming Fund to extend this project for a further three years, in three regions. We are now looking for focus vineyards in Marlborough and Central Otago to join this … Continue reading
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Assessing the trial as harvest approaches
By Caine Thompson, Viticulturist, Mission Estate In Hawkes Bay during the early summer period we often battle with powdery mildew as the conditions are favorable for this disease. This season has been no different, with high pressure conditions being persistent. … Continue reading
Posted in Vineyard manager reports
Tagged monitoring, powdery mildew, undervine cultivation
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Summer field visit
By Bart Arnst, Viticultural Consultant Mission Estate Vineyard, 14th February 2011 A scorcher of a day which had field day participants looking for shade. The latest of the series of field days planned to show interested parties the progress of the … Continue reading
January vineyard update: organic & conventional blocks all in good health
By Caine Thompson, Viticulturist, Mission Estate The January period has bought about some fairly extreme weather events. We have experienced dry, settled conditions with warm temperatures thanks to predominantly north west weather patterns. These conditions have accelerated shoot growth and berry … Continue reading
Posted in Vineyard manager reports
Tagged financial costings, monitoring, powdery mildew, spray program
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Advisor’s update – December
By Bart Arnst, organic project advisor Mission Estate Vineyard, Tuesday 7th Dec. This was my second visit to Mission Estate as part of the focus vineyard comparison between an “in organic conversion” vineyard and a “conventional or agrichemically run vineyard.” … Continue reading
December update from the vineyard
By Caine Thompson, Mission Estate Viticulturist On Bart’s arrival on the 7th of December for his second advisory visit to the vineyard, we discussed with Peter Holley (CEO, Mission Estate) the project to date and how it was progressing. At … Continue reading
November update from the vineyard
By Caine Thompson, Vineyard Manager, Mission Estate The later part of spring has seen conditions more settled than early spring with warmer temperatures being reported around Hawkes Bay. As a result spring growth has been steady after a slow start … Continue reading
Posted in Vineyard manager reports
Tagged soils, spray program, undervine cultivation
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Focus vineyard project launches
Why organic? By Caine Thompson, Viticulturist & Vineyards Manager, Mission Estate There are a number of varying views about organic growing, and questions about whether it is achievable, whether it is cost effective, and whether fruit quality and quantity can be … Continue reading
Posted in Vineyard manager reports
Tagged field days, management plan, monitoring, spray program, undervine cultivation
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The Organic Focus Vineyard Project 