Grapes harvest feeling the heat

Growers remain hopeful as soaring temperatures bring forward season pick

Written by HARVEY DIKE. Wangaratta Chronicle 6 Feb 09

SCORCHING temperatures have some local vignerons sweating, and others remaining optimistic.

Executive officer of the King Valley Vignerons, Kevin McGennan, said yesterday that the vintage from the valley could be down by an average of 20 per cent.

"It’s been very tough on those vineyards that don’t have access to irrigation," he said, “and the situation is worse further up the valley.

"The heat has brought forward the vintage picking, which will begin within a week."

Grapevines, like people, prefer temperatures to be in the high twenties rather than the low forties, so the district’s vignerons are having to perform a delicate balancing act to get their grapes into top condition for picking.

Harvesting in the vineyards closest to Wangaratta will begin in earnest within 10 days.

Applying the correct amount of water is always important, and becomes more so when high temperatures are forecast.

"It’s essential not to over water," said Tony Ciavarella from his vineyard at Oxley, “but the vines must begin a hot day with adequate moisture if they are going to cope well.

"The dangers are inadequate watering that will reduce the all important canopy, and over watering, which may put vines in to a vegetative growth state.

"However, at this stage, our fruit is looking good."

Bob Morrison at Glenrowan agrees.

"Apart from some windburn on leaves, the vines are in good condition," Mr Morrison said.

"Fortunately, when the hot weather set in, grapes around Glenrowan already contained some sugar, so they were more robust.

"Vineyards in cooler areas are doing it tougher.

"We’ll pick a little earlier this year, and the cooler weather forecast for next week will certainly help.

"I have the impression that above 38 degrees, the vines shut down for self protection: they don’t grow, and they don’t appear to be taking up water.