WINETECH Technical Yearbook 2020

FIGURE 2. Bush vine surface in the Swartland, Paarl and Stellenbosch regions (SAWIS).

10000 12000 14000 16000

14200

13177

13025

12106

8428

8028

0 2000 4000 6000 8000

6447

4004

3648

2891

2502

1890

2009 Hectares

2019 Hectares

2009 Hectares

2019 Hectares

2009 Hectares

2019 Hectares

SWARTLAND

PAARL

STELLENBOSCH

Bush vine Other FIGURE 2. Bush vine surface area in the Swartland, Paarl and Stellenbosch regions (SAWIS).

● It may even be possible to harvest certain blocks mechanically in an emergency (for example like those shown in photo 4). To summarise it can be said that while bush vine cultivation is a very old system, it can still be used very successfully in the drier parts of the Swartland, Paarl and Stellenbosch, under low-vigour conditions, for the production of premium wines. When managed correctly, outstanding wines can be made as can already be seen in the market. By raising the goblets of bush vines earlier, their cultivation can be made easier and the desired quality can be obtained earlier in warm areas.

It would therefore be beneficial to raise the grapes of a bush vine away from the soil surface earlier (photos 2, 3 and 4). At the same time there are other advantages to a higher goblet: ● Less sunburn due to reflected heat from the soil surface. ● Weed control becomes significantly easier. ● Air movement around the bunches is improved which decreases disease pressure. ● Practices like pruning, suckering and harvesting can be performed with greater ease because workers do not have to bend down so low.

PHOTO 1. The arms of this 1979 Chenin blanc bush vine have been raised over the years and the grapes now hang about 50 cm above the ground.

PHOTO 2. A temporary support pole was used to shape the goblet of this Grenache noir bush vine away from the soil surface.

WINETECH TECHNICAL YEARBOOK 2020 141