Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
improving soil water holding capacity, minimizing water waste in the winery, and
using reclaimed water where possible.
Benchmarking for Soil Health
Chapter 1 discusses perceptions of soil health, a term that to many in the viti-
culture industry, especially those promoting organic and biodynamic practices,
refers primarily to a soil's biological condition. Notwithstanding the importance
of biological properties, soil scientists equate soil health to soil quality. Therefore,
defining soil health rests on a holistic assessment of a soil's physical, chemical, and
biological properties and hence its “fitness for purpose.” Nevertheless, because
choice of language is important in selling a concept, if the term soil health empha-
sizes the need to “care” for soils, we should be prepared to adopt it.
To be confident in caring for a soil, a winegrower needs to know which soil
properties are more important for soil health and what the optimum values, or
range of values, are for each property against which his or her soils can be bench-
marked. From a review of the physical, chemical, and biological properties most
relevant to vineyard soil health, Oliver et al. (2013) and Riches et al. (2013) pro-
posed a comprehensive minimum data set, with optimum values given where
known (table 6.2). Benchmarking a vineyard requires soil to be analyzed, follow-
ing standard protocols, and preferably at regular intervals to identify trends over
time (see “Soil Testing,” chapter 3). As more winegrowers participate and pool
their data, the optimum values can be refined for broad soil classes and regions.
With this knowledge, the winegrower can adjust a vineyard's management to
achieve specific objectives. In many cases, the vineyard's management will then
meet the soil health and environmental objectives that are the basis of sustainable
winegrowing, as discussed in the next section.
Nevertheless, as discussed earlier, a winegrower's objectives can vary with the
style and price point of the wines to be made. These considerations will determine
the target values he or she aims for, acknowledging the French view that vines
must experience a degree of soil-imposed stress to produce distinctive, quality
wines (van Leeuwen, 2010).
Integrated Production Systems and Sustainability
In response to changing consumer preferences and pressure from environmental
regulators, wine industries in several countries have established IPS for winegrow-
ing. The overarching aim is to maintain the long-term sustainability of the wine
industry.
Irrespective of country, the IPS have very similar principles. One of the most
comprehensive systems is the Californian Sustainable Winegrowing Program
(CSWP), a cooperative venture between the Wine Institute of California and the
