EcoVineyards

Wine grape growers across South Australia will benefit from the Wine Grape Council of South Australia’s (WGCSA) successful grant under the National Landcare Program’s Smart Farms Small Grants program.

The EcoVineyard concept incorporates native insectary plants to create biodiverse ecosystems in and around vineyards. These plants support populations of insect predators, which contribute towards biocontrol of vineyard pests and may ultimately lead to reduced input costs and the use of chemicals.

The use of insectary plants, will help demonstrate our environmental credentials, change the look and function of vineyards and provide opportunities to tell our unique story to tourists and international wine customers.

How will growers benefit?

Project staff will work with grape growers to establish native insectary sites and biodiversity corridors throughout South Australian wine regions. Viticulturist Mary Retallack explains, ‘Locally-adapted, native insectary plants have the capacity to provide benefits including weed suppression, erosion control, nutrient cycling, soil water retention, improved soil organic carbon and biological activity. By establishing native insectary plants around their vineyards, we aim to help growers save time and resources by producing healthy grapes, with lower pest incidence while at the same time, enhancing the resilience and biodiversity of their vineyard.’

This project is supported by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, through funding from Australian Government's National Landcare Program.

Background information

Improving vineyard resilience: replanting with native species

Dr Mary Retallack presentation titled “Improving vineyard resilience: replanting with native species” at the Adelaide Hills Wine Region Removing Woody Weeds and Replanting with Native Flora workshop and field session in April 2021

Future proofing vineyards

Dr Mary Retallack presentation titled “Future proofing vineyards: Utilising native insectary plants to provide habitat for good bugs, microbats and insectivorous birds” at the SA Central Viticultural Expo in September 2020

Bio-Diverse Ecosystems in Vineyards and Applications for Production Landscapes

Dr Mary Retallack and Dan Falkenberg presentation titled
“Bio-Diverse Ecosystems in Vineyards and Applications for Production Landscapes” at the Australian Biological Farming Conference: Science meets nature in November 2018