Harvesting underway for research projects
The 2023 harvest has begun for the DPIRD wine research team with 19 separate Chardonnay sites across the Margaret River region picked, processed and fermenting at DPIRD’s fermentation laboratory in Bunbury.
This work is part of the research project investigating the intricacies of provenance in Western Australian wine regions. Further picks will involve Margaret River Cabernet and Great Southern Riesling and Shiraz. The DPIRD team expect to pick over 1200kg of fruit and travel over 5000kms during the vintage period.
This three year project is in its second year and involves a collaboration between DPIRD, Murdoch University, Bruker (scientific instrument manufacturer), Wines of WA, Margaret River Wine Association and Great Southern Wine Producers Association. Funding for this project is provided via the Wine Export Growth Partnership with DPIRD and Wines of WA.
Another trial scheduled to be harvested in the coming months is the Cabernet Sauvignon clonal trial hosted at Howard Park Wines in Margaret River. This trial involves 14 different clones and selections of Cabernet planted in replication across a single block. The 2022/23 growing season marks the second full season of viticultural data and small-lot winemaking to be undertaken by DPIRD which will deliver to WA producers insights into the performance and characteristics of these clones and selections under local growing conditions.
Project demonstrating new technology for undervine management
A new project is underway to assess the suitability of an innovative Sprayable Biodegradable Polymer Membrane (SBPM) as a sustainable tool to address climate change.
The impacts of climate change range from increased heat stress to the reduction in water availability and quality. These impacts negatively affect yield, soil health, irrigation resources and generally threatens the sustainability of horticultural production systems.
The SBPM technology was developed by the CSIRO to provide farmers with a sustainable alternative for single use plastic mulches, which have a significant societal cost due to the consumption of fossil fuels in their production and managing the plastic waste after use.
This project aims to demonstrate how SBPM can be broadly used in a variety of farming systems to improve crop growth parameters such as soil moisture, soil temperature and yield while maintaining healthy soils.
Recently appointed DPIRD research scientist Truyen Vo, has been busy establishing demonstration sites across vineyards in the Swan Valley, Margaret River and Frankland River regions. The attributes offered by SBPM presents an exciting opportunity for both table and wine grape growers on how to manage undervine areas for improving water efficiency, soil temperature and moisture and weed control.
In addition to vineyard sites, Truyen is planning a carrot trial site in Bunbury and tomato and pumpkin sites in Carnarvon.
For each of the various trials, soil moisture, temperature and conductivity are being monitored by Wildeye® sensors. Time-lapse video recordings are being used to observe the degradation of the mulch and degree of weed emergence.
Data will be collected from the treatment area and compared to data from adjacent conventionally managed areas. This comparison will show if SBPM technology can sustainably facilitate higher climate resilience and profitability for horticulture in the south-west of Western Australia. Findings will be presented via field walks, articles and industry forums.
This project is funded by the Australian Government’s Agricultural Innovation Hubs Program, with support from DPIRD, and was initiated through the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub.
For more information on this project contact Richard Fennessy or Truyen Vo.
A comparison of seasons
For all nine of WA’s wine regions, DPIRD technical officer Yu-Yi Liao has conducted a review of the climatic conditions of the current growing season against the previous season. This analysis provides wine producers with insights on how the current growing season compares to the previous (noting incomplete data sets as no data available after 28 February 2023).
Each of the bar graphs below illustrate monthly rainfall from June to May (excluding March to May 2023). Line graphs compare accumulated growing degree days (GDD) between the 2021/22 and the current 2022/23 growing seasons.
A general observation across all the regions is the 2022/23 season to date has accumulated less GDD units compared to the previous season, attributed to a slightly cooler summer. In terms of rainfall, overall, more rainfall was experienced in the winter and spring periods of 2021 compared to 2022, excluding Margaret River which had 14mm more rainfall during the 2022 winter and spring periods compared to 2021. Another consistent trend worth noting is the wettest month in 2021 was July whereas in 2022 it occurred in August.
Swan District
Total winter rainfall in 2021 was 32mm higher than 2022 consequent to a particularly wet July (249mm). The highest monthly rainfall in 2021 fell in July, whereas in 2022 it was August. Total spring rainfall for both seasons were similar, highest monthly recordings varied from October in 2021 to September in 2022.
Figure 1 and 2 show data collected from the BoM Millendon weather station (site number 9281) representing the Swan District wine region.
Accumulated GDD tracked similarly between the two seasons until December where 2022/23 shows consistently lower GDD. Comparing the months October to February, there is almost 150 units of accumulated GDD between the two seasons, with 2021/22 being the warmest.
Perth Hills
Spring in 2021 had close to 100mm more rainfall than 2022, attributed to 162mm falling in October 2021. Rainfall in July 2021 is also the heaviest amongst all monthly rainfalls across the nine regions for both seasons.
Two stations were used to represent the Perth Hills, BoM station Bickley (site number 9240) and DPIRD station Glen Eagle in Figure 3 and 4.
Accumulated GDD had a similar trend as Swan District with 2022/23 being the cooler of the two seasons.
Peel
Winter rainfall was 68mm higher in 2021 featuring a particularly wet July (413mm) and much similar in spring where 2021 had more than twice the rainfall as 2022 (137mm).
Peel’s data in Figure 5 is sourced from BoM Dwellingup weather station (site number 9538).
At the end of February 2021, Peel had accumulated 1542 GDD, 128 units higher than February 2022 (1414).
Geographe
The Geographe wine region experienced similar winter rainfall across both seasons, however the 2021 spring rainfall was significantly higher by almost 100mm.
DPIRD’s weather stations' Capel, Donnybrook and Dardanup 2 were compiled to represent Geographe in figure 7 & 8.
Accumulated GDD has tracked similarly for both seasons, with the 2022/23 season slightly lower at the end of February by 77 GDD units.
Margaret River
Margaret River experienced less variation in monthly rainfall across the two seasons compared to most of the other regions. Slightly higher winter rainfall (544mm vs 490mm) but slightly lower spring rainfall (177mm vs 217mm) in 2022/23 was recorded.
Figure 9 and 10 illustrated Margaret River’s seasonal data from DPIRD’s Vasse, Wilyabrup, Margaret River, Rosa Brook and Karridale weather stations.
As of the end of February 2023, the current season had accumulated around 100 units of GDD less than the previous season. The trend line below shows that accumulation between the two seasons was comparable until the end of December as a consequence of a milder summer.
Blackwood Valley
Data derived from BoM Bridgetown weather station (number 9617), DBCA station Styles Tower and DPIRD station Nannup is illustrated in Figure 11 and 12 representing the Blackwood Valley wine region.
Winter rainfall in 2021 was 100mm more than 2022 otherwise similar rainfall was recorded for spring and summer for both seasons.
As shown below, accumulated GDD between the two seasons has been the most similar of all the wine regions.
Manjimup
In both seasons Manjimup experienced less rainfall than the adjoining region of Pemberton but the trend fluctuated similarly. Winter and spring rainfall was higher in 2021/22 compared to the current season.
The BoM weather station at Manjimup (site number 9573) and DPIRD’s Manjimup HRS station provided data to represent the growing season at Manjimup in Figure 13 and 14.
Up to the end of February, Manjimup recorded 1156 GDD units in 2022/23; 108 units less than the previous season.
Pemberton
Pemberton experienced a particular wet winter in 2021, with almost 200mm more rainfall than 2022 (most of which fell in July). Overall the 2021/22 season was wetter than the current season.
DPIRD Pemberton weather station was the only station used in Figures 15 and 16.
Similar trend and comparison with other regions in terms of GDD, with the 2021/22 season accumulating over 100 GDD units up to the end of February.
Great Southern
Weather stations from the subregions of the Great Southern were combined to produce Figures 17 and 18. Stations used were BoM's Albany Airport (9741) and Rocky Gully Town (9661), Water Corporation's Quickup Dam and DPIRD's Denmark, Mt Barker, Stirlings South, Frankland North and Frankland weather stations.
Figure 17 shows the majority of winter rainfall fell in July during the 2021/22 season and August for 2022/23. To February, the 2021/22 season had 143mm more rainfall than the current season.
Similar trend of accumulated GDD as most other wine regions, up to the end of February the 2021/22 season had accumulated around 100 GDD units more than the current season.
Cabernet clones tasted and compared
The second vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon wines made from a trial of multiple clones and selections was recently presented to a group of winemakers and viticulturists in Margaret River. The trial is part of a DPIRD collaboration with Howard Park Wines, Wines of WA and Wine Australia.
WA is recognised internationally as a premium producer of Cabernet Sauvignon – the State’s highest value wine grape variety. The project is examining the performance of a number of Australian, American and French derived clones and selections under WA growing conditions.
This project aims to understand the characteristics of the different clones and selections across multiple vintages, focusing on field performance and wine qualities. Most WA Cabernet Sauvignon plantings consist of either the South Australia clone SA126 or local derived ‘Houghton clone’ or more technically correct ‘Houghton selection’. The information from this ongoing project will help growers decide which available clone or selection is best suited to their needs.
This work started in 2019 when a one hectare block of mature Cabernet Sauvignon at Howard Park Wines Margaret River vineyard was grafted to 14 clones and selections of Cabernet Sauvignon.
The 2022 vintage represented the first complete growing season of field observation and small-lot wines made using a standardised procedure.
Observations during the growing season included timings of key growth stages, vine yield, fruit characteristics and vegetative growth.
To offset seasonal variation, data from a number of seasons will be collected to identify consistent traits expressed by the clones and selections under WA growing conditions.
The below table shows viticultural measurements of 12 clones taken during the 2021/22 growing season.
| Clone | Yield/vine (kg) | Bunch weight (g) | Bunches/vine | Berry weight (g) | Pruning weight (kg) | Yield/pruning weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roche 5-2 | 7.1 | 152 | 47 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 5.4 |
| Roche 5-7 | 4.9 | 107 | 46 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 6.0 |
| Roche 9-7 | 5.0 | 114 | 44 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 5.3 |
| Roche 20-4 | 3.8 | 112 | 34 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 4.2 |
| 191 | 5.1 | 117 | 43 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 4.1 |
| 337 | 5.8 | 136 | 43 | 1.3 | 1.2 | 4.8 |
| SA125 | 8.0 | 187 | 43 | 1.4 | 1.8 | 4.3 |
| SA126 | 4.3 | 131 | 33 | 1.3 | 1.2 | 3.5 |
| LC10 | 3.5 | 100 | 35 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 6.1 |
| LC84 | 5.0 | 129 | 39 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 3.8 |
| G9V3 | 5.1 | 120 | 42 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 4.6 |
| CW44 | 4.5 | 138 | 32 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 4.4 |
Feedback from producers who have tasted the 2022 wines noted clear differences in the flavour spectrum and tannin profile of the various clones and selections.
Further industry tasting workshops are being planned for the Geographe, Great Southern and Swan Valley wine regions.
This work will in time contribute to a national project as similarly designed trial sites are being established in Coonawarra and Barossa wine regions to explore the attributes of these clones under differing climatic conditions.
Contact Richard Fennessy for more information.
Industry pilot to automate work processes
Wine producers in Margaret River will soon have the opportunity to embrace digitalisation using off the shelf technology to create practical, low cost and low risk digital business solutions with the 'Shoestring' business development program.
The Shoestring program helps small to medium businesses tackle actual problems, one step at a time, in a simple manner, using low-cost components and open-source software.
Automation can enhance:
- margins
- resilience
- sustainability
- worker engagement and productivity.
Late in 2022, DPIRD and Cambridge University consulted with a small number of WA food and beverage manufacturers and 'Shoestring' solutions were specified for five businesses. These businesses have agreed to share their insights and experiences with the program to assist others to assess the merits of the Shoestring approach.
An industry pilot, specifically for Margaret River wine producers will be delivered later in 2023. Focusing the pilot on the Margaret River region allows logistic efficiencies and facilitates extension to other regions, as well as opening the prospect of participation to other beverage sectors such as beer, cider, spirits and non-alcoholic drinks in 2024 and beyond.
The Shoestring program starts with businesses attending group workshops that will help to identify digitalisation priorities by answering the following questions:
- What simple low-cost digital solutions could my business consider?
- How do I decide where to start?
- What are my business's digital priorities?
- How do our priorities compare with other businesses?
- Which digital solutions could make my business more competitive?
- What comes next?
The Shoestring team will then work with individual businesses to help tailor and implement solutions to suit their specific needs, using a collaborative approach.
The Shoestring program is supported by the University of Cambridge (UK) and backed by a four-year commitment by the Western Australian government.
To find out more about Shoestring, and to view a case study of an UK business please review:
Shoestring | Helping smaller companies to start digitalising (2:27min)
An industry example (4:42min)
For more information on the program or to register an interest, contact Richard Fennessy.
Grants available to build WA wine businesses
The Minister for Agriculture and Food, Hon Jackie Jarvis MLC, recently opened Round 4 of the Agrifood and Beverage Voucher Program run by DPIRD.
The Agrifood and Beverage Voucher Program supports small businesses to access expert advice to build resilience and sustainability, competitiveness, scale and export preparedness into their operations.
Western Australian food and beverage manufacturing and processing businesses can apply for up to two vouchers, with up to $15,000 per business available to access expert advice across five categories of professional services.
The program has issued close to $1m in professional service vouchers that have helped to successfully transform over 134 agrifood and beverage manufacturing businesses, many that use locally sourced ingredients – generating jobs and flow on benefits to industry, communities, and the State economy. Over 30 WA wine businesses have already accessed the voucher program to grow and expand their businesses.
Vouchers will be provided to competitive WA businesses that meet the eligibility criteria and whose business development objectives are most closely aligned with the State Government’s objectives including:
- Growing and diversifying the State’s economy - Future jobs and skills
- Stronger, safer communities
- Investing in climate action
- Investing in the regions
Vouchers will be offered on a competitive application basis to support contracting professional consultancy services in one or more of the following five categories:
- Business planning
- Manufacturing for business growth
- Sales and marketing
- Financial health
- Environmental sustainability and social responsibility
More information on the program please visit Agrifood and beverage voucher program.
Future events
Cabernet clone tasting
DPIRD Research Scientist Richard Fennessy will be delivering workshop tastings featuring 13 Cabernet Sauvignon clones and selections. These wines from the 2022 vintage were produced from a single trial block planted in Margaret River using a standardised small-lot winemaking procedure. Viticultural data such as key phenological stages, yield, bunch and berry weights were collected over the growing season will also be presented at the tasting.
This tasting provides growers and winemakers with a unique opportunity to explore the flavour spectrum and tannin profile of a number different Cabernet Sauvignon clones and selections sourced from a single block harvested at similar maturities.
Plans are underway to hold this event in Swan Valley, Geographe and Great Southern.
For more information contact Richard Fennessy.