Transplanting Vines

Transplanting Vines Transplanting Vines

The shift of 500 Chardonnay The shift of 500 Chardonnay vines within a vineyard.vines within a vineyard.

IntroductionIntroduction

This is a look at a unique problem in a vineyard in Hawke’s This is a look at a unique problem in a vineyard in Hawke’s Bay. Approximately 500 Chardonnay vines had been inter-Bay. Approximately 500 Chardonnay vines had been inter-planted within approximately 3700 Malbec vines.planted within approximately 3700 Malbec vines.

In the winter of 2008 it had been decided by the vineyard In the winter of 2008 it had been decided by the vineyard owners to transplant the Chardonnay vines to a new section owners to transplant the Chardonnay vines to a new section of the vineyard and plant new Malbec vines in their place.of the vineyard and plant new Malbec vines in their place.

This provided an opportunity to study the effects of such a This provided an opportunity to study the effects of such a decision and a unique look at how to recover these vines.decision and a unique look at how to recover these vines.

So far the results have been mostly positive, but with a So far the results have been mostly positive, but with a great deal of labor. great deal of labor.

Site Information and HistorySite Information and History

Location: Cottingham EstateLocation: Cottingham EstateThe Triangle, The Triangle, Hawke’s Bay, New ZealandHawke’s Bay, New Zealand

Plantings 2002Plantings 2002- 4 hectares of Merlot- 4 hectares of Merlot- 2 hectares of Malbec- 2 hectares of Malbec

Plantings 2004Plantings 2004- 4 hectares of Merlot- 4 hectares of Merlot

Plantings 2008Plantings 2008- 2 hectares of Merlot- 2 hectares of Merlot- 2 hectares of Malbec- 2 hectares of Malbec

Transplanted 2008Transplanted 2008- app. ¼ of hectare - app. ¼ of hectare ChardonnayChardonnay

Developed as a contract vineyard Developed as a contract vineyard for Delegat’sfor Delegat’s

Site information and history Site information and history 22

The 2002 plantings were purchased The 2002 plantings were purchased from a now defunct nursery and from a now defunct nursery and grafter from Gisborne. The story grafter from Gisborne. The story was that there was a disgruntled was that there was a disgruntled employee at the nursery and he employee at the nursery and he ‘peppered’ the Malbec with ‘peppered’ the Malbec with Chardonnay vines.Chardonnay vines.

The discovery was not made until The discovery was not made until 2005 when the first fruit came off of 2005 when the first fruit came off of the vines. Part of this was due to the vines. Part of this was due to viticulture inexperience, but who viticulture inexperience, but who could have known such a thing could have known such a thing would happen. Without serious would happen. Without serious consideration or laboratory consideration or laboratory analyzation, even the most analyzation, even the most experienced viticulturist may not experienced viticulturist may not have discovered the issue till the 2have discovered the issue till the 2ndnd year.year.

Decision timeDecision time In the autumn of 2008 it was In the autumn of 2008 it was

decided to transplant the decided to transplant the Chardonnay vines to their Chardonnay vines to their own section of the vineyard, own section of the vineyard, once the vines went into once the vines went into dormancy.dormancy.

There are certainly positives There are certainly positives and negatives to this decision and negatives to this decision and each depend solely on and each depend solely on the type of vineyard, financial the type of vineyard, financial situation, status of disease, situation, status of disease, and resources available.and resources available.

Many times these are the Many times these are the factors driving the decisions factors driving the decisions in the vineyard. It never is in the vineyard. It never is purely a ‘best case scenario’.purely a ‘best case scenario’.

Justify the decisionJustify the decision First and foremost, it was one alternative to fixing the First and foremost, it was one alternative to fixing the

problem of having to continuously cut out and drop the problem of having to continuously cut out and drop the Chardonnay fruit before the Malbec harvest. Each season Chardonnay fruit before the Malbec harvest. Each season this proved very laborious task.this proved very laborious task.

Owners of the vineyard liked the idea of having a bit of Owners of the vineyard liked the idea of having a bit of Chardonnay to make for themselves in future years.Chardonnay to make for themselves in future years.

Saw no reason to throw away healthy vines.Saw no reason to throw away healthy vines. Grafting the vines were not an option Chardonnay clones Grafting the vines were not an option Chardonnay clones

and root stocks were unknown. In fact, it’s not even certain and root stocks were unknown. In fact, it’s not even certain that these vines were all Chardonnay. So there was no way that these vines were all Chardonnay. So there was no way to know if these root stocks suited the soil types or if they to know if these root stocks suited the soil types or if they would work well with grafted Malbecwould work well with grafted Malbec

To find out these rootstocks would be far too laborious and To find out these rootstocks would be far too laborious and expensive. So the decision to remove and replant with expensive. So the decision to remove and replant with proper Malbec on the correct rootstocks.proper Malbec on the correct rootstocks.

Transplanting VinesTransplanting Vines Information on this specific Information on this specific

viticulture topic is very viticulture topic is very limited as it is not a limited as it is not a procedure that is procedure that is recommended. This was a recommended. This was a very unique circumstance in very unique circumstance in that healthy vines were that healthy vines were coming out from random coming out from random spots throughout the block. spots throughout the block.

In most any situation, In most any situation, transplanting vines is not an transplanting vines is not an option as you would either option as you would either be pulling out the vines be pulling out the vines because of disease or because of disease or grafting onto the vines to grafting onto the vines to change clones or varietals. change clones or varietals.

Problems with transplanting Problems with transplanting vinesvines

Negative possibility – If any of these vines had virus and it Negative possibility – If any of these vines had virus and it had been contained to that block it could cause an issue. had been contained to that block it could cause an issue. The vines were being transplanted to part of the vineyard The vines were being transplanted to part of the vineyard to the south which would take up the strong southerly to the south which would take up the strong southerly winds and increase infection rate of the entire vineyard.winds and increase infection rate of the entire vineyard.

Leaf roll is definitely in the vineyard, but a percentage of Leaf roll is definitely in the vineyard, but a percentage of infection is not known. If the incidence reaches 20% the infection is not known. If the incidence reaches 20% the entire vineyard is basically lost to disease (Thompson, entire vineyard is basically lost to disease (Thompson, 2009)2009)

Problems with transplanting Problems with transplanting vines 2vines 2

First, a new vineyard had to be First, a new vineyard had to be established. That meant, new established. That meant, new poles dug in, new wires strung, poles dug in, new wires strung, and deep holes dug on the days and deep holes dug on the days of the transplant.of the transplant.

This new vineyard had to be This new vineyard had to be placed not only in an unused placed not only in an unused spot, but also in a spot where spot, but also in a spot where space wouldn’t be wasted with a space wouldn’t be wasted with a small amount of rows of small amount of rows of Chardonnay. So it was placed at Chardonnay. So it was placed at the end of the 2004 planted the end of the 2004 planted Merlot, near the trees where Merlot, near the trees where greater expansion would not greater expansion would not occur.occur.


Vines were be dug up 4 Vines were be dug up 4 to 6 at a time, in what to 6 at a time, in what was found to be a was found to be a gravely soil. Then carted gravely soil. Then carted on a quad (pictured) to on a quad (pictured) to the other end of the the other end of the vineyard where there vineyard where there was room for replanting. was room for replanting. There, a fresh hole had There, a fresh hole had been dug, amongst been dug, amongst newly established poles newly established poles and wire systems. This and wire systems. This was to allow for quick was to allow for quick planting and minimal planting and minimal time outside of the time outside of the ground where roots could ground where roots could be exposed to be exposed to pathogens.pathogens.


Though the vines were in dormancy, they will still Though the vines were in dormancy, they will still go through some shock. To help aid this and help go through some shock. To help aid this and help in the coming seasons, the entire trellis systems in the coming seasons, the entire trellis systems were cut back (shown in further slides) and were cut back (shown in further slides) and cordons cut off at shoulders of the crown to cordons cut off at shoulders of the crown to compensate for the root systems having to be cut compensate for the root systems having to be cut down to maximum of 50 cm in diameter.down to maximum of 50 cm in diameter.

Because the root systems had to be cut back, Because the root systems had to be cut back, nutrient uptake would be grossly effected in nutrient uptake would be grossly effected in coming seasons. To help compensate for this, coming seasons. To help compensate for this, nutrient pills were placed in every hole with the nutrient pills were placed in every hole with the replanted vines and saturated with a bucket of replanted vines and saturated with a bucket of water.water.

More issues with More issues with transplantingtransplanting

In the Malbec vineyard In the Malbec vineyard there were now many gaps there were now many gaps that need to be replanted. that need to be replanted. Not an uncommon situation Not an uncommon situation to have gaps in a vineyard, to have gaps in a vineyard, especially when dealing especially when dealing with disease, but nearly with disease, but nearly 500 in app. 3700 is a large 500 in app. 3700 is a large percentage. percentage.

Can cause large variability Can cause large variability in the vineyard with less in the vineyard with less competition of so many competition of so many vines. Added pressure vines. Added pressure from the contractor in from the contractor in financially difficult times if financially difficult times if ripening is not consistent.ripening is not consistent.

Other issuesOther issues Because root systems were cut back, Because root systems were cut back,

water stress is a large possibility for water stress is a large possibility for the vines. Proper irrigation must be the vines. Proper irrigation must be installed immediately in the new installed immediately in the new vineyard (seen in picture). vineyard (seen in picture).

During water stress abscisic acid will During water stress abscisic acid will be produced by roots which can be produced by roots which can cause the growth to slow down cause the growth to slow down significantly (Taiz, L & Zeiger, E, significantly (Taiz, L & Zeiger, E, 2006)2006)

Another solution to help combat this Another solution to help combat this was to plant in a more ‘water was to plant in a more ‘water retaining’ soil. This picture was retaining’ soil. This picture was taken this spring between two of the taken this spring between two of the transplanted Chardonnay vines. It transplanted Chardonnay vines. It was a hole dug by an EIT Soil Science was a hole dug by an EIT Soil Science student. It clearly shows a clay and student. It clearly shows a clay and silt soil that is holding water very silt soil that is holding water very well. And though hardly any roots well. And though hardly any roots have grown into this region between have grown into this region between two vines, it is easy to see that two vines, it is easy to see that access to water is not an issue. access to water is not an issue.

Other issues continued…Other issues continued… In hindsight this was In hindsight this was

essential in the transplanting essential in the transplanting of the vineyard. Because of the vineyard. Because these were vines with fully these were vines with fully grown trunks and partial grown trunks and partial cordons which would cordons which would produce vigorous shoot in produce vigorous shoot in the coming season, water the coming season, water and nutrient holding soils and nutrient holding soils were essential. It’s arguable were essential. It’s arguable that it is even more that it is even more important than in newly important than in newly planted baby vines because planted baby vines because the vine is not as large.the vine is not as large.

Also, these soils will be Also, these soils will be suitable for the future as suitable for the future as Chardonnay is able to hand Chardonnay is able to hand these vigorous soils.these vigorous soils.

Heading into autumnHeading into autumn

After harvest as After harvest as autumn settles in, autumn settles in, the source/sink the source/sink relationship relationship changes. changes.

The wood tissues, The wood tissues, trunks and roots trunks and roots expand in girth expand in girth and a second flush and a second flush of root growth of root growth occurs.occurs.

But the problems have only just begun!!!But the problems have only just begun!!!

Because vines shoots Because vines shoots and fruit had to be cut and fruit had to be cut out in previous out in previous seasons, they were seasons, they were not looked after not looked after properly. properly.

Even though the trellis Even though the trellis system was cut back system was cut back as much as possible it as much as possible it has now left a pruning has now left a pruning and thinning and thinning nightmare for the nightmare for the coming seasons.coming seasons.

Notice how many random cuts and backseal points have been made in previous years.

New pruning issuesNew pruning issues

It was decided to let It was decided to let the vines grow out and the vines grow out and establish themselves establish themselves for the 2008-2009 for the 2008-2009 season. This picture season. This picture was taken in the spring was taken in the spring of 2008of 2008

Crowding was quickly Crowding was quickly becoming an issue.becoming an issue.

Ideal pruning situation...Ideal pruning situation...

This is an ideal This is an ideal pruning situation pruning situation where a pre-pruner where a pre-pruner has come in and has come in and taken out the long taken out the long shoots so an shoots so an experienced pruner experienced pruner can come in and make can come in and make quick decision to spur quick decision to spur prune effectively and prune effectively and clear the vine of old clear the vine of old wood from the wood from the previous season.previous season.

Not an ideal pruning Not an ideal pruning situation situation

Heavy, out of Heavy, out of control growth control growth crowded to the crowded to the interior of the interior of the vine. vine.

But if you look But if you look carefully in the carefully in the background you background you can see where can see where we are headed.we are headed.

Not an ideal pruning Not an ideal pruning situation 2situation 2

This was quite This was quite typical of the typical of the situation in the situation in the winter of 2009. winter of 2009.

Every vine had Every vine had random, crowded random, crowded shoots from many shoots from many years of neglect years of neglect and the previous and the previous season’s growth. season’s growth.

How to approach this pruning How to approach this pruning nightmare.nightmare.

Basically we had to take each Basically we had to take each vine very specifically. That is vine very specifically. That is true for all pruning and true for all pruning and thinning but this truly proved thinning but this truly proved to show many different to show many different scenarios. Some vines we scenarios. Some vines we had to spur prune, and where had to spur prune, and where ever we could we attempted ever we could we attempted to lay down new canes and to lay down new canes and could out as much of the could out as much of the gnarled crowns and cordons gnarled crowns and cordons from the previous years from the previous years issues.issues.

All the while we were keeping All the while we were keeping in mind that we would try in mind that we would try and get some fruit for wine and get some fruit for wine making in the 2010 harvestmaking in the 2010 harvest

Clean it upClean it up

This is an after shot of the This is an after shot of the previous slide’s picture. Here previous slide’s picture. Here you see were able to lay down you see were able to lay down two new canes and really clean two new canes and really clean up the vine. This vine should be up the vine. This vine should be much easier to thin and work much easier to thin and work with throughout the season.with throughout the season.

But still we notice that the canes But still we notice that the canes we have selected have their we have selected have their limitations. Many of the canes limitations. Many of the canes have small internode lengths have small internode lengths and crowding is inevitable.and crowding is inevitable.

Notice the vine in the Notice the vine in the background. This vine had to be background. This vine had to be spur pruned and will probably spur pruned and will probably have extreme crowding and have extreme crowding and random growth from previous random growth from previous season neglect and the fact that season neglect and the fact that the cordons are very short from the cordons are very short from the transplant process.the transplant process.

Small, but important tasks…Small, but important tasks… One very critical step in One very critical step in

the winter pruning the winter pruning process was the use of process was the use of backseal. There were backseal. There were many large wounds left many large wounds left from cutting out crowns from cutting out crowns and cordons.and cordons.

Because the vines are Because the vines are still in a critical state any still in a critical state any pathogens allowed in pathogens allowed in could prove detrimental could prove detrimental and we could lose the and we could lose the vines in the second vines in the second season of the replanting. season of the replanting.

One technique I learned One technique I learned from working up in from working up in Northland where the Northland where the climate is much more climate is much more humid, was to not just humid, was to not just glob on the backseal, but glob on the backseal, but to put a thin layer over to put a thin layer over to protect and not get to protect and not get any moisture caught any moisture caught under the back seal.under the back seal.

Early spring idealsEarly spring ideals

Here we see a pretty Here we see a pretty balanced vine in early balanced vine in early spring. Shoots are spring. Shoots are growing fairly even growing fairly even and upwards. They and upwards. They are spread out evenly are spread out evenly along a cordon that along a cordon that has been spur pruned has been spur pruned over the winter. over the winter.

This vine will be easy This vine will be easy to manage to manage throughout the throughout the season.season.

Early spring ideals 2Early spring ideals 2

Here we see one of the Here we see one of the Chardonnay vines from Chardonnay vines from mid spring 2009. Not as mid spring 2009. Not as pretty as the previous slide pretty as the previous slide with the Merlot vines from with the Merlot vines from the same vineyard. There the same vineyard. There is crowding but it is is crowding but it is manageable for thinning manageable for thinning this season. Certainly a this season. Certainly a great improvement from great improvement from what the previous season what the previous season left us.left us.

The shoots are growing The shoots are growing vertically and a few can be vertically and a few can be chose to produce somechose to produce some

The future…The future…

Right now the vines are being thinned Right now the vines are being thinned because the growth is so tight and heavy this because the growth is so tight and heavy this time of year. time of year.

Crowding is the biggest issue as it can result Crowding is the biggest issue as it can result in disease such as botrytis when bunches in disease such as botrytis when bunches overlap. This creates in important part of the overlap. This creates in important part of the disease triangle which a vineyard manager disease triangle which a vineyard manager actually has control over unlike the weather.actually has control over unlike the weather.

The vines will be closely monitored The vines will be closely monitored throughout the season and there will be a throughout the season and there will be a small, but solid crop taken off of them for the small, but solid crop taken off of them for the 2010 vintage. 2010 vintage.

Success?Success? No one on the team is ready call the No one on the team is ready call the

operation a success at this point. But operation a success at this point. But once we harvest a good crop and make once we harvest a good crop and make some of our own Chardonnay, we will some of our own Chardonnay, we will feel as though it was worth our efforts. feel as though it was worth our efforts.

It will be a continued effort throughout It will be a continued effort throughout the coming seasons. It is a great the coming seasons. It is a great example of how decisions in viticulture, example of how decisions in viticulture, whether big or small can have huge whether big or small can have huge ramifications in not only the next ramifications in not only the next season, but in many seasons to come. season, but in many seasons to come. That Chardonnay vineyard may not be That Chardonnay vineyard may not be fully productive for another 3 years. fully productive for another 3 years.

That means the transplanting process is That means the transplanting process is one of at least five years. A huge one of at least five years. A huge commitment. But overall it was a cheap commitment. But overall it was a cheap alternative and one that could show alternative and one that could show some profit down the road if the wine is some profit down the road if the wine is developed into a nice Chardonnay. developed into a nice Chardonnay. There are good soils there and the block There are good soils there and the block could grow someday to be a premium could grow someday to be a premium site. Which would be quite ironic looking site. Which would be quite ironic looking back at the disgruntled employee at the back at the disgruntled employee at the nursery in Gisborne back in 2002nursery in Gisborne back in 2002

Notes:Notes:

All pictures taken at All pictures taken at Cottingham Estate by Cottingham Estate by Charlotte Anderson and Charlotte Anderson and Daniel BrennanDaniel Brennan

A great deal of cooperation A great deal of cooperation and information was sourced and information was sourced from the owners of from the owners of Cottingham Estate, Pamela Cottingham Estate, Pamela and Alan Stevenson.and Alan Stevenson.

ReferencesReferences

Raven, P.H., Evert, F., Eichhorn, S. (2005). Raven, P.H., Evert, F., Eichhorn, S. (2005). Biology of PlantsBiology of Plants (7 (7thth ed.). ed.). USA: WH Freeman and CompanyUSA: WH Freeman and Company

Taiz, L. & Zeiger, E. (2006) Taiz, L. & Zeiger, E. (2006) Plant Physiology.Plant Physiology. Sunderland, MA, USA: Sunderland, MA, USA: Sinauer Associates InicSinauer Associates Inic

Dry, P.R. & Coombe, B.G. (Eds.) (2008). Dry, P.R. & Coombe, B.G. (Eds.) (2008). ViticultureViticulture ResourcesResources. . Ashford, South Australia: Winetitles Pty Ltd.Ashford, South Australia: Winetitles Pty Ltd.

Transplanting Vines

Education

Transcript of Transplanting Vines