1. Tell us about your experience in grape growing?
I am the General Manager – Vineyards for Katnook Estate in Coonawarra. For the past 10 years we have played an active role in rejuvenating Coonawarra by way of vineyard replanting and some small areas for native plants.
Before my current role I worked at Wingara Wine Group (Deakin Estate) in Mildura and, plus an earlier career in horticulture.
2. What prompted you to want to be involved in the EcoVineyards project?
We really respect Mary Retallack’s work so when the opportunity came about to be involved in the EcoVineyard project we jumped at the chance.
Ultimately we want to reduce the use of pesticides in our vineyard. Other benefits for us will be improving biodiversity, lessening the impacts of a vineyard monoculture and improving the overall aesthetics of Katnook Estate with native plants.
3. What do you hope to achieve from your involvement in the EcoVineyards project?
Ultimately we want to reduce the use of pesticides in our vineyard. Other benefits for us will be improving biodiversity, lessening the impacts of a vineyard monoculture and improving the overall aesthetics of Katnook Estate with native plants.
4. Have you tried to increase biodiversity on your property before undertaking this project? If so, how?
We have tried in the past but not in a well-planned methodical way. We’re looking forward to seeing how having a proper plan can make a difference.
5. Why do you think it is so important for growers to try and build natural resilience on their property?
Building natural resilience sums it up. If we can use biodiversity to reduce our reliance of other inputs, we can save on the huge amount of resources involved in running a vineyard.
6. Looking to the future, what do you see as a new ‘normal’ for grape growers on their properties?
The new normal is quite different to whatever the current normal is. Our weather patterns have changed and are continuing to do so. With that comes new pest pressures which we have to adapt to.
Grape phenology is also changing so we need to adapt how we grow the grapes and modify our expectations of style etc. produced.
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