Masters Thesis Abstract: Shona Sluys
Climatic Influences on the Grapevine: A study of Viticulture in the Waipara Region
New Zealand has a number of wine regions and a diverse array of wine styles, even within each grape variety. A major factor for this diversity may be due to the influence of the wide range of climates, microclimates and soil types. Canterbury is New Zealand’s fourth largest wine region. Encompassed within this region is the Waipara Valley. The Waipara Valley’s first vineyards were planted in the 1970’s. Today, the Waipara Valley area is generating an appreciable amount of interest due to the rapid expansion of existing vineyards and wineries, as well as new vineyard developments and the establishment of new wineries.
Climate is one of the most important factors influencing where wine grapes can be grown and the quality of wine produced from those grapes. A plants’ habitat will have a profound influence on its growth and development. The surrounding climatic conditions at both the macro- and meso-scales influence the plant-climate micro-scale interactions.
The main aim of this research is to undertake a field investigation into the climatic environment of the grapevine. This includes an understanding of how microclimatic factors influence the grapevine in a single vineyard (owned by Torlesse Wines) in Waipara, as well as an understanding of how the local to regional scale climate processes make the Waipara region a good area for viticulture. The main study site is the McKenzie Vineyard that is owned by Torlesse Wines, although this study is also interested in the climatic conditions of the surrounding Waipara region.
There are a number of techniques employed in this research. Temperature loggers (HOBO’s) have been set up within the rows of vines in the McKenzie vineyard. They are located at 1.5m, 0.75m and at 0.5m into the soil. An Automatic Weather Station (AWS) has been operating in the vineyard since June of 2003. The data collected from the AWS consists of temperature, relative humidity, soil temperature, rainfall, wind speed and direction. Observational measurements of plant development will be taken at regular intervals through next spring. These observational measurements will be compared to the data taken from the AWS and the HOBO’s to provide an assessment of vine response to climate stimulus.
The results will provide an in-depth look at how grapevine development reacts to its surrounding climatic environment. This is of particular importance for the vineyard owner in relation to vineyard management, but also to the viticultural industry in regions like Waipara.