Terroir 2006 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 International Terroir Conferences 9 Terroir 2006 9 Integrated approach in terroir studies (Terroir 2006) 9 The use of local knowledge relating to vineyard performance to identify viticultural terroirs in Stellenbosch and surrounds

The use of local knowledge relating to vineyard performance to identify viticultural terroirs in Stellenbosch and surrounds

Abstract

A terroir represents grouping of homogenous environmental units, or natural terroir units, based on the typicality of the products obtained. Identification and characterisation of terroirs depends on knowledge of environmental parameters, the functioning of the grapevine and characteristics of the final product, which must be placed in a spatial context. Field studies, resulting in point data, are considered to be necessary to investigate the functioning of the grapevine, but the use of representative sites to determine the response of the grapevine to its environment is time consuming and costly and limits terroir studies to research related investigations. We surveyed vineyard managers on their perceptions of the functioning of established Sauvignon blanc vineyards in the Stellenbosch Wine of Origin District. Comparison of data generated with these questionnaires to measured data in commercial vineyards suggested that the vineyard managers were able to characterise the performance of vineyards with respect to vigour, signs of drought stress and yield. Each vineyard was mapped and the responses were linked to modelled environmental variables. This data was used to construct decision trees, which could be applied to environmental data in a geographic information system to determine viticultural terroirs for production of Sauvignon blanc.

Download the PDF

DOI:

Publication date: January 12, 2022

Issue: Terroir 2006

Type: Article

Authors

Victoria A. CAREY (1), Eben ARCHER (1), Gérard BARBEAU (3) and Dawid SAAYMAN (3)

(1) Department of Viticulture and Oenology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, 7602 Matieland, South Africa
(2) Unité Vigne et Vin, Centre INRA d’Angers, 42 rue G. Morel, BP 57, 49071 Beaucouzé, France
(3) Distell, P.O. Box 184, 7599 Stellenbosch, South Africa

Contact the author

Keywords

GIS, survey, Sauvignon blanc, vineyard managers, terroir

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2006

Citation

Related articles…

Effects of mulching with municipal solid waste (MSW)-compost on the soil microbiota and decomposition activity in a productive vineyard in Apulia (Italy)

Application of municipal solid waste (MSW)-compost as a mulching material in vineyards supports sustainable practices and aligns with both circular economy and zero-waste principles.
Read More

La viticoltura veneta in un contesto di città e industria diffusa: per una lettura integrale del paesaggio della collina pedemontana veronese orientale

l Veneto, come è noto, rappresenta una delle estensioni di superfici a vigneto più importanti in Italia e nell’Europa stessa. Il paesaggio viticolo fino ad oggi è stato ampiamente letto nelle sue componenti

Read More

Service crop effects on grapevine water and nitrogen status and yield under Mediterranean climate

Service crops in vineyard can provide multiple ecosystem services but they can also lead to competition with the grapevine for soil resources in the Mediterranean region due to potential severe droughts (Garcia et al., 2018). One of the levers of action to manage this competition is the choice of species adapted in terms of growth dynamics and water and nutrients’ needs. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of temporary service crops on grapevine water and nitrogen status and grapevine yield and yield components in a Mediterranean vineyard.

Read More

Efficient irrigation strategies and water use reduction in the high quality production regions of Priorat and Montsant (Spain)

Priorat and Montsant Appellations of Origin are located in the south of Catalonia (North‐East Spain), under severe Mediterranean climatic conditions

Read More

Soil variability effects on vine rootzones and available water

Aim: The aim of this work is educating people about soil variability, vine rootzone depth and readily available water holding capacity. The concept of terroir is readily discussed in the wine industry but many people involved are unable to describe a soil profile and interpret its limitations that impact on vine growth, fruit quality and wine produced. This paper discusses soil physical characteristics important to vine root growth and readily available water holding capacity (RAW).

Read More