South Africa Wine Technical Yearbook 2025

OCTOBER

DESMOND THOMPSON

Rooted in research – what science says about regenerative viticulture Part 1: Organic soil amendments, biostimulants and biological control agents By Lucinda Heyns

This article is based on a recently published scientific review article. In the review article, the question was: ‘What science exists to support the efficacy of practices used in regenerative viticulture systems or approaches?’.

Introduction – a scientific look at regenerative practices This article is based on a recently published scientific review article that evaluated the scientific evidence supporting RV practices. The review examined individual yet interconnected vineyard strategies and assessed how well they contribute to the main aims of regenerative viticulture as highlighted in Figure 1. Specifically, it explored five key practices: • Organic soil amendments (like compost and biochar). • Biological stimulants and control agents. • Cover cropping. • Alternative weed management. • Functional biodiversity enhancement (including livestock integration). Where information was available, the review also considered how these practices affect vine performance, grape yield, and even wine quality. The goal? To understand what we know so far – and where we need more research. Practice: Reviving the soil – compost, biochar and organic amendments One of RV’s top priorities is reducing reliance on synthetic fertilisers. These fertilisers are not only linked to greenhouse gas emissions, but can also degrade soil health over time.

What is regenerative viticulture? In recent years, regenerative viticulture (RV) has become a hot topic in the world of viticulture and winemaking. Unlike more well-established ecosystem development approaches such as agroforestry or rewilding, RV doesn’t yet have a legal or standardised definition. Still, it’s gaining popularity as a vineyard management approach focused on healing the land, not just sustaining it. At its core, regenerative viticulture involves a suite of practices designed to improve soil and ecosystem health, increase vine resilience, support biodiversity, and help mitigate climate change – all without compromising grape yield or wine quality. Importantly, RV is not just about swapping conventional inputs for organic ones. It’s a whole systems approach to farming that rethinks how vineyards interact with their environment. Figure 1 summarises the principal goals of regenerative viticulture, the practices employed to achieve them and their potential impacts. Article reference for the following three articles: O’Brien, F., Nesbitt, A., Sykes, R. & Kemp, B., 2025. Regenerative viticulture and climate change resilience. OENO One 59(1). https://doi.org/10.20870/oeno-one.2025.59.1.8089

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TECHNICAL YEARBOOK 2025