Grape Days spread word in industry

Members of the New Zealand wine industry met at the Grape Days 2012 workshop at the Marlborough Convention Centre yesterday.

The scientists and researchers presented their latest findings from studies of viticultural practices funded by New Zealand Winegrowers.

Research manager Dr Simon Hooker said the idea of Grape Days was to push the findings of key research projects out to the industry to keep everyone up-to-date.

Some exciting findings included the results of a three-year mechanical thinning study done in Marlborough and a sheep leaf-plucking study in Hawke's Bay, he said.

"In the Hawke's Bay sheep have been used for leaf plucking, but there were concerns about spray residue remaining in the sheep, so farmers had to hold their stock for an extra six months, over winter, which is not ideal."

"We actually got really good results, showing there are no issues with residues after two months so we are waiting to hear back from the Ministry of Primary Industries, to get that holding period dropped."

New Zealand Winegrowers is funded by grape and wine levies which also funds research and marketing for the industry.

They work closely with researchers around the country, including Plant and Food Research based at the Marlborough Wine Research Centre in Blenheim.

Grape Days 2012 will also be held in Hawke's Bay tomorrow.