Our Wine Grape Knowledge

Our Growers | The Pyramid

The Pyramid is a multi-faceted farming business currently comprising of 602 hectares within the boundaries of the Avon, Tummil and Waihopai rivers in Marlborough. The first vineyard block was created five years ago and brings a European feeling to the hills of Marlborough...

Our Growers | Rose Ag Vineyards

Rose Ag is a family-owned and operated Vineyard located in the Wairau Valley. Producing and exporting Savignon Blanc and some Pinot Noir, Vineyard manager Shane Day speaks about the support they recieve from Fruitfed Supplies through his Technical Horticultural Representative, Mike Treloar and the local Crop Monitoring team. 

• Canopy management techniques such as leaf plucking, enhance air movement and help reduce drying time after rain. This helps reduce the potential for disease development. 

• Vine canopy health is essential for berry ripening. During fruit fill, vines channel food reserves into the berries and need phosphorus, potassium and magnesium. Apply YaraVita Croplift-K or Valagro Plantafol 0-25-50 (0-11-41.5 elemental basis) to support fruit brix. Symptoms of magnesium deficiency include interveinal yellowing or reddening in older leaves. YaraVita Magflo300 or Valagro Brexil Magnesium applications help maintain good leaf condition, supporting vine photosynthesis and berry ripening.
• Pre-bunch closure is the last opportunity to protect bunches against Botrytis with a strong fungicide cover. If operating to a nil-residue spray schedule, options are Gem® or a Bacillus subtilus product such as Serenade® Opti or Bacstar®. If following a maximum residue level programme, options depend on which botryticide was used at flowering. Options include Switch® and either Teldor® or Prolectus®, but precise resistance management rules apply in many cases, so check the New Zealand Winegrowers SWNZ Spray Schedule 2024/25 for exact options. Enhance coverage by adding Du-Wett® or ActiWett®. 
• Up to and beyond veraison, the risk of Botrytis infection increases as bunches ripen and as grape skins become softer and sugar levels increase. The occurrence of humid, warm conditions in February are ideal for full-scale Botrytis infections to develop. Fungicide options become more limited the closer to harvest, so consult your Fruitfed Supplies Representative for advice.
• Apply powdery mildew cover sprays at tight intervals over the next two months as conditions for active sporulation reach their highest pressure of the season. Providing there is no visible active infection, then Belanty® with a 65-day pre-harvest interval (PHI) provides a superior level of forward protection. Alternative mode of action options, with shorter PHIs include Quintec (35-day PHI) or Vivando® (42-day PHI). Maintain this for as long as possible to prevent late-season infections on young leaves and any canopy regrowth. Late-season infections can produce large numbers of inoculum, which over-winter and provide sources of infection for the next season. If you see ash or grey-coloured spores on leaves or newly-set fruit, talk with your local Fruitfed Supplies Representative for control options.
  
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