The performance of grapevines on identified terroirs in Stellenbosch, South Africa

Abstract

A terroir can be defined as a natural unit that is characterised by a specific agricultural potential, which is imparted by natural environmental features, and is reflected in the characteristics of the final product. Preliminary terroirs were defined for Stellenbosch for Sauvignon blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon using decision trees built on analyses of viticultural, oenological and environmental data measured on a network of plots over 7 seasons. This study was considered to be a preliminary approach to determine the validity of terroir studies for the South African wine industry.
It was expected that measurement of viticultural and oenological variables would serve to validate or refine the decision trees constructed with the first set of data and that the measurement of ecophysiological parameters on a separate network of reference plots would facilitate improved understanding of the grapevine x terroir interaction. Three plots of 10 vines each were therefore identified in selected commercial vineyards of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon blanc using remote sensing as a tool to identify homogenous plots where possible. These vineyards were representative of dominant terroir units that were identified for each cultivar. This network of experimental plots was monitored with respect to their ecophysiological response to the growing environment. This included dynamics of canopy development, vegetative growth, dynamics of berry growth and composition and wine character. Pre-dawn leaf water potential was determined at different stages during the growth season. The growing environment was characterised with respect to soil and climate by means of direct observations and measurements and interpolated values from the agroclimatic weather station network.
This paper will examine the results from three seasons for selected Sauvignon blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards from this network and compare these results to previous findings.

DOI:

Publication date: December 8, 2021

Issue: Terroir 2008

Type : Article

Authors

Victoria A CAREY (1), Valérie BONNARDOT (2), Zelmari COETZEE (3) & Laure DU COS DE ST BARTHELEMY (4)

(1) Lecturer and 3 Technical assistant, Department of Viticulture and Oenology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, 7602 Matieland, South Africa
(2) Agroclimatological consultant, Bureau d’Études et de Recherches en Climatologie Appliquée à la Viticulture
(4) Masters student, SupAgro Montpellier and affiliated student, Stellenbosch University

Contact the author

Keywords

Sauvignon blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, soil, ecophysiology, Stellenbosch

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2008

Citation

Related articles…

Evaluation of Acıkara (Vitis vinifera L.) native grape variety of anatolia for red wine production potential

The acıkara grape variety, a nearly forgotten native black variety in Anatolia/Turkey, has recently gained interest in its potential for producing high-quality wine from producers and consumers. The potential of producing high-quality red wine from the Acıkara grape variety (vitis vinifera), which is cultivated on the elmalı/antalya in the highland (1100 m altitude) of western mediterranean region, was investigated, and the suitability of the wine’s characteristics associated with high-quality red wine was determined.

Grape ripening delaying with combined use of leaf removal and natural shading in Manto negro (Vitis vinifera L.) under deficit irrigation

The increasing frequency of heat waves during grape ripening presents challenges for the production of high-quality wine grapes. This underscores the significance of developing effective irrigation and canopy management techniques to optimize both yield and grape quality.
A field experiment was carried out during 2021 and 2022 using Manto negro wine grapes to study the effect of two irrigation strategies and different light exposure levels on grape quality. In a four-block experimental vineyard at Bodega Ribas in Mallorca, two irrigation treatments—moderate and severe deficit irrigation—were implemented. Within each irrigation plot, three light exposure treatments were randomly assigned, encompassing exposed clusters from pea size, non-exposed clusters, and shaded clusters after softening.

Carbon isotope discrimination in berry juice sugars: changes in response to soil water deficits across a range of vitis vinifera cultivars

In wine producing regions around the world, climate change has the potential to decrease the frequency and amount of precipitation and increase average and extreme temperatures. This will lower soil water availability and increase evaporative demand, thereby increasing the frequency and intensity of water deficit experienced in vineyards. Among other things, grapevines manage water deficit by regulating stomatal closure. The dynamics of this regulation, however, have not been well characterized across the range of Vitis vinifera cultivars. Providing a method to understand how different cultivars regulate their stomata, and hence water use in response to changes in soil water deficits will help growers manage vineyards and select plant material to better meet quality and yield objectives in a changing climate.

The environmental footprint of selected vineyard management practices: A case study from Logroño (La Rioja) Spain

Viticulture is globally important for socioeconomic and environmental reasons. The EU is globally leading grape and wine production, and Spain is among the top grape and wine producers. As climate change affects viticulture, mitigation and adaptation are crucial for protecting grape production. In this research work, data on viticultural management practices such as soil cultivation, irrigation, energy, machinery, plant protection and the use of fertilizers from vineyards located in Logroño (La Rioja) have been obtained.

Under-vine cover crops: impact on weed development, yield and grape composition

This study aims to evaluate the interest of using an under-vine cover crop as a sustainable management tool replacing herbicides or tillage to control weeds, evaluating its effects on yield and berry parameters in a semi-arid climate. 
The performance of Trifolium fragiferum as an under-vine cover crop was evaluated in 2018 and 2019 in a Merlot vineyard in