The NSW Government is equipping wine grape growers with expert advice through an updated guide to inform critical management decisions which support productivity and improve vineyard conditions.
The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) guide, Options for vineyards: reworking, top-grafting, replanting or removing, will inform growers on the appropriate options to manage ageing vineyards, some of which were planted several decades ago.
"There are large areas of vineyards that were planted in the 1990s and early 2000s during the boom of vineyard expansion," NSW DPIRD Development Officer Viticulture Penny Flannery said.
"Consequently, many wine grape growers are now contemplating what to do about vineyards with declining yields and quality, which require increased costs due to the inefficiencies associated with ageing infrastructure and declining soil health.
"Some landowners need to decide what to do about abandoned or neglected vineyards, with removal costs, biosecurity risks, and waste management issues for them to consider.
"Deciding when to invest and which option best suits is not always easy, so this guide aims to provide some context on what factors are involved and the main considerations for each of the options."
Case studies from NSW growing regions, along with photographs showing examples of vineyard management methods that have benefited plant growth and yield, feature throughout the guide.
The information provided is based on the available literature as well as practical information developed through discussions with vineyard managers and viticulturists.
"The NSW wine industry is constantly evolving, and growers need practical tools to help them adapt and stay ahead," the President of NSW Wine Industry Association, Mark Bourne, said.
"This guide is a valuable resource that gives growers the confidence to make informed decisions about their vineyard's future — whether that's reworking, top-grafting or replanting to meet changing market demands and take advantage of new opportunities.
"We encourage all NSW wine grape growers to download it and make use of the expertise it contains."
The guide was developed as part of the Greater NSW - ACT Regional Program delivered by NSW DPIRD in partnership with NSW Wine.
The Regional Program is supported by funding from Wine Australia with levies from wine grape growers and winemakers and matching funds from the Australian Government.
"Wine Australia is pleased to have supported the Options for vineyards: reworking, top-grafting, replanting or removing guide," General Manager of Research & Innovation at Wine Australia, Paul Smith said.
"Making informed decisions about vineyard renewal or removal is essential to respond to changing market and environmental conditions.
"This updated guide provides growers with clear, practical guidance on reworking, replanting, top-grafting and vine removal, supporting more resilient vineyards and better long-term outcomes."
Visit the NSW DPIRD Grapes webpage to download the free guide Options for vineyards: reworking, top-grafting, replanting or removing.
