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Weather Conditions - Thalia & Lauren :) 

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Weather Conditions - Thalia & Lauren :) 

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In the year of 2021, there was a cold initiation period which resulted in smaller bunches and unsettled weather during flowering. This caused some hen and chicken and poorly set bunches. There was quite a significant swing in weather variability and as such the grapevines became stressed, thus resulting in reduced yield. As such, in order to combat these affects the minimisation of added stresses towards the vine such as water deficiency and particular vineyard management practices (pruning) can ensure optimum fertility.

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Cooler than usual spring temperatures and wet weather during flowering resulted in lower yields and increased hen and chicken in the nz 2021 vintage. Frost protection methods such as sprinking, fans and helicopters are some ways to ease potential frost damage.

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In order for successful buds to form a decent amount of light and a warmer temperature seem to be ideal. However during the initiation period it was very cool, likely meaning that many of the buds did not survive and resulted in a poor level of flowers. Because of this, less inflorescence formed and developed into grapes, resulting in the said lower yields. I did however find an article saying that the few grapes produced from one winemaker were of a high quality which is great! This can hopefully improved by maintaining a thorough water supply (i.e. irrigation), adding nutrients, and potentially covering the grapes with materials to keep some of the warmth in.

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2021 Hawkes Bay had  inclement weather in spring. This would have effected early bud burst varieties such as Chardonnay. Primary buds may have failed and replaced with secondary buds which are not as fruitful. The variable weather also caused problems during flowering resulting in bunches of berries  in different ripening stages.
Using anti frost techniques and canopy management could reduce future effects of unseasonal weather.

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At the end of growing season 2020 the nation was plunged into a full scale lockdown. Minimal operations took place on all vineyards across the country, contingency plans were actioned for harvesting but once complete vineyards were effectively abandoned. Re-starting operations after lockdowns was slow and many sites were playing catch-up into the 2021 season, many vineyards did not receive the correct pruning, or was rushed with no additional treatments, (prune paste as an example) before the season started again. Vineyards went into the '21 season severely hamstrung. What we can do about this is never have a lockdown again!!

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The vine yield of Chardonnay can vary considerably by clonal variation, climatic region and cultural practices. The average crop size ranges from 2 to 8 tons per acre. It is important to keep in mind that Chardonnay was originally grown in coastal production areas (UCDavis, 2024).

Chardonnay is also a variety which has early bud burst, thus is exposed to potential frosts and cold flowering temperatures. Valleys are more likely to have more frost potential and cold temperatures seem to dwindle for longer than high lying zones. Therefore, Chardonnay should be planted in areas away from valleys or on hillsides (National Weather Service).

By Brooklyn Ferreira

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Early budburst in 2020 meant that initiation was taking place in cooler than usual conditions, even if temperatures were around average.

2021 got off to a cool, but early start. This contributed to impact by frost events, and yield was further reduced by a poor flowering (Cold and we weather).

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Why low yields? Abiotic stress conditions such as frosts and cooler weather during flowering. Cold, wet spring affects the inflorescence development and flower formation. The number and size of resulting clusters is dependent on temp. and light. Environmental factors affect the developing bud in the previous year, especially the regulation of the anlagen development. High light and high temps favour the formation of cluster primordia. Canopy management in this year will therefore affect these factors, while cultural factors such as water and vine water status will have an additional influence on the differentiation of cluster primorida. We know that due to Covid, lockdown and labour shortages were apparent in NZ. Perhaps this contributed to less attention given to viticulture management decisions.

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Improving Chardonnay Yields in Future Vintage

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Improving Chardonnay Yields in Future Vintage

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Chardonnay yields can be improved by focusing on practices that increase bud fruitfulness and protect vines from environmental stress. Growers can reduce frost damage by using frost fans or sprinklers during spring. Maintaining an open, healthy canopy allows more sunlight to reach the buds, which encourages better inflorescence (flower cluster) formation for the following season. Providing adequate irrigation and balanced nutrition helps keep vines healthy and reduces stress. Good pruning and crop load management also ensure the vine has enough energy to produce healthy buds and consistent yields in future vintages.

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The 2021 vintage is known for high-quality grapes, despite producing 20% less than the previous year. This was attributed to a cooler spring, late frosts and abrupt changes in weather, resulting in smaller bunches and low yields. To prevent low yields on Chardonnay vines, long spur pruning leaves can be implemented, to leave more producing nodes on the spur and increase crop potential.

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Increasing financial sustainability of Chardonnay in Hawke’s Bay through long-spur pruning to increase yield – Bragato Research Institute

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After completing a BCom/LLB (University of Otago, 1993) James initially got admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor (High Court of NZ, 1993) before starting work for Deloitte and practising as a Chartered Accountant (ICANZ, 1997) in NZ, Amsterdam and then London. This was followed by 5 years of consulting in London before returning to NZ to start work for Grape Vision Ltd, a vineyard development management and consultancy business owned by his father Robin.

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Extreme drought / dryness in Spring'19 / Summer'20

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Extreme drought / dryness in Spring'19 / Summer'20

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During anlagen differentiation in Season 1 (2019/2020), much of the East Coast of the North Island experienced the worst drought ever recorded in New Zealand. This, coupled with intense sunshine and higher than average winds, made vines extremely water-stressed during bud differentiation for the subsequent 2021 vintage year. The lack of water – and potentially increase in shoot removal to discourage water loss via transpiration – likely lead to not enough assimilates being developed to encourage inflorescence primordia differentiation.

Outside of irrigation, areas like the East Coast of the N.Island will need to start looking to hotter climates and techniques used there for grape growing, including rootstock selection or increased hedging plants to retain moisture and limit drying winds