The 2017/’18 grape harvest has remained “resilient” with production volumes stabilising despite facing the worst drought in decades, says South African Table Grape Industry (SATI) says. In an update issued on 5 February, SATI Communications Manager Clayton Swart said the 4th crop estimate for the 2017/’18 season shows that, at…
If a young vine is developed properly from the start, the way is automatically paved for an easier pruning season. The permanent cordon system and two-bud spur pruning system are used in about 95% of South African vineyards. An advantage of this system is that vintners can be sure of…
A wide variety of cultivars is available, but only a few are used to produce high-quality white or red wines. Climate and soil are largely responsible for determining whether grapes can be cultivated successfully in a certain region. The climatic conditions also determine the type of grapes that can be…
The quality of wine depends largely on vine management. Here are some tips for achieving optimal returns from new vineyards. Proper soil preparation is very important when establishing vineyards. Soil profile holes should be dug to determine the soil type and structure, to see whether any restrictive layers – such…
There are many factors to consider when selecting a rootstock for vine production. Danie van Schalkwyk has the following suggestions to aid your decision. SOIL Soil is the main factor that influences rootstock selection because the anatomical and physiological attributes of rootstocks differ in their adaptability to and utilisation of…
