With the uncertainty of what the weather will be like in the future, climate change could have a dramatic effect on growing premium grapes in the Clare Valley.
The Clare Valley Vine Improvement Society bus trip has been planned to provide information on drought proofing your vineyard.
We will visit the Riverland Vine Improvement Committee, Banrock Station, the Mildura Field Days and McLaren Vale Vine Improvement Society.
Tuesday, May 27
At Monash we will visit the vineyards and cutting shed of the RVIC where we will be given a talk on use of rootstocks for dry conditions and saline soils. Also covered will be how they have overcome problems of shortage of water. We will be given a tour of their vineyards and cutting shed.
Lunch will be at Banrock Station, and will highlight the foods of the district. At Banrock Station we will be given a vineyard walk and wetlands walk. Their viticulturist will give a talk on their research into reducing water usage in their vineyards, they will cover what they have tried which worked and which didn’t work.
Ruth Coates is the ranger ecologist for Banrock Station. Ruth has responsibility for all aspects of the ecological management of the property including its:
q Threatened species recovery program.
q Ramsar wetland management program.
q Landscape recovery.
q Revegetation and wetland management.
q Community and Government liaison, and;
q Environmental education and interpretation.
We will stay at the Renmark Hotel for the two nights. On the first night we will have a guest speaker, Jeff Parish, who will give an interesting talk on “Drought and the National Water Plan”. Jeff Parish is the Chief Executive officer for the Central Irrigation Trust.
Wednesday, May 28
We will spend a day at the Mildura Field Days. These field days present the latest information and innovation in horticulture and viticulture. This year there is a special emphasis on the latest irrigation technology and practices. We will return to the Renmark Hotel for an evening meal.
Thursday, May 29
Early start to go to McLaren Vale where the McLaren Vale Vine Improvement will demonstrate their unique rootstock harvesting operation. They produce nice straight canes 10-12 metres long. They use reclaimed water. We will also visit a McLaren Vale winery and vineyard before proceeding back to Clare.
Contact Roy Crabb, 8842 2436 if you are interested in going on this trip or would like to send vineyard workers. Cost for members is $200, for non members is $240. Membership is $10.
Included in the cost is bus fare, accommodation for two nights (twin share), two breakfasts, two dinners and lunch at Banrock Station.