EcoVineyards

Building vineyard resilience through EcoVineyards

Extensive research over many years has provided clear evidence that functional biodiversity improves the resilience of vineyards and increases environmental stewardship of our land.

However, getting the balance right was often perceived as a complex process when it is actually as simple as working in harmony with nature.

To help bridge the knowledge gap, Wine Australia has provided funding to Retallack Viticulture Pty Ltd to deliver the national EcoVineyards program in nine regions around Australia.

EcoVineyards is a regionally-based program guided by local experts and experiences that supports winegrape growers to enhance soil health, plant groundcovers – including native species and multispecies cover crops – and increase functional biodiversity.

The program has established EcoGrowers in nine wine regions, spanning from Margaret River on the west coast to Hunter Valley on the east.

The EcoGrowers apply best practice with the guidance of a regional on-ground coordinator (ROC) to take steps to improve soil health and plant supplementary flora (including locally adapted natives) to grow the resilience of vineyards.

The EcoGrowers provide a regional demonstration site for local growers to see results first-hand and learn steps to apply in their own vineyards, as well as providing a mechanism to measure applied results on ground. Local growers are also invited to events twice a year and provided tools to accelerate further knowledge transfer opportunities. 

Visit the EcoVineyards website for more information.