Environment and climate

Build a more climate-resilient vineyard

Climate adaptation is increasingly part of everyday vineyard management. The right response will vary according to region, variety, vineyard design, water availability and the risks facing an individual site.

Options growers can consider include:

• improving irrigation and water-use efficiency
• adjusting irrigation in response to heat and frost
• managing vineyard floors to improve soil health and retain moisture
• adapting canopy management to changing conditions
• selecting varieties, clones and rootstocks suited to future conditions
• adjusting pruning and other practices to influence vine development and harvest timing
• considering climate risk when establishing or redeveloping vineyards.

These approaches can help growers manage seasonal variability while building vineyard resilience to longer-term change.

Prepare for heatwaves and extreme heat

Periods of extreme heat can place vines under significant stress and affect fruit development and quality.

Planning ahead can help growers manage these risks. Vineyard layout, canopy management, irrigation strategies, soil moisture and other management decisions can all form part of the response to hot conditions.

Detailed resources within this section can help growers prepare for and respond to heatwaves and heat stress.

Manage drought and water availability

Water availability is a critical consideration for many Australian vineyards, particularly during prolonged dry conditions.

Improving irrigation efficiency, understanding vine water requirements, retaining soil moisture and planning for periods of reduced water availability can help growers make better use of available resources and maintain vineyard productivity.

Detailed information on irrigation, drought, soil moisture and water management can support these decisions.

Prepare for frost and cold events

Frost can damage vulnerable vine tissue and affect vineyard productivity, particularly when it occurs during sensitive stages of vine growth.

Understanding vineyard frost risk and the management options available can help growers prepare for frost events and reduce their potential impact.

Manage fire, smoke and extreme events

Bushfires can have direct impacts on vineyards as well as create smoke exposure risks for grapes and wine.

Preparation can help vineyard businesses respond more effectively to fire and smoke events. Resources within this section provide information to support vineyard fire preparedness, smoke exposure management and decisions following an event.

Manage salinity risks

Salinity can affect soil, water and vine performance and presents a long-term management challenge in some Australian vineyards.

Understanding water quality and soil conditions, together with appropriate irrigation, drainage and vineyard management, can help growers manage salinity risk and protect vineyard productivity.

Plan for longer-term climate change

Adaptation is not only about responding to individual weather events. Vineyard redevelopment and other long-term decisions provide opportunities to consider how a vineyard may need to perform under changing conditions.

Variety and rootstock selection, vineyard location and design, irrigation infrastructure, soil management, canopy systems and pruning practices can all be considered as part of longer-term planning.

Wine Australia-supported research continues to build knowledge that can help the sector understand changing conditions and make informed vineyard management decisions.