Term (also zonal viticulture) for techniques developed from the 1990s onwards, particularly in Australia. In the CSIRO viticulture department, modern satellite navigation was combined with soil and grape analyses. The productivity of different vineyards or even individual plots can vary considerably. The variations depend on soil type, climate and topography and can be up to a factor of 10. This fact is taken into account in precision viticulture during vineyard management. The basis for suitable measures is the collection and evaluation of detailed data. Technical measuring systems and procedures are used for this purpose. The satellite-supported navigation system GPS enables detailed recording of specific data with an accuracy of up to one metre. In the meantime, artificial intelligence in the form of robot technology is also being used in the vineyard.
GIS database
The GIS (Geographical Information System) database is used to store, analyse and display geographical data on soil type, climate, topography and harvest history, with historical data also allowing developments to be derived. Remote sensing using sensors in aeroplanes or satellites is used to collect detailed data on the vigour of the vines. The best-known vegetation index for this is the NDVI (Normalised Differenced Vegetation Index). Another important criterion is the recording of yields during the grape harvest. Depending on the results, the vineyards are divided into smaller units such as blocks, sub-blocks and zones. These are then not cultivated in a standardised manner, but individually and differently according to need.
Targeted management
Targeted cultivation at the optimum time and in the right quantity includes irrigation, fertilisation, plant protection measures and foliage care. Furthermore, the optimum harvest times are also determined for a selective grape harvest. The different zones usually also mean different qualities. For example, grapes can be harvested and processed separately from certain zones for a high-quality wine and from other inferior zones for a simple wine. This complex and cost-intensive method only pays off for large vineyards, so only large wineries such as Gallo and Mondavi in California can afford it. From the mid-1990s, the term " cool climate winegrowing " became popular (also) due to the fact of global climate change, which refers to the planting of vines in higher areas with continental climatic conditions.
Further information
For the production of alcoholic beverages, see Champagne (sparkling wines), Distillation (distillates), Speciality wines, Spirits (types), Winemaking (wines and wine types) and Wine law (wine law issues). All work and aids in the vineyard during the vegetation cycle are listed under vineyard care.
