THE wine job is in a bit of a mess right now – and somehow the industry needs to remove at least 20 per cent of current plantings to try and fix it.
And those vines have to be gone in a relatively short period of time.
With the lack of wine being exported – and on the domestic scene sales can only be described as steady at best – a structured change is needed to prevent a drawn-out and very painful scenario.
Closer to home, the sprayer has been in the shed for nearly a week, which is a change.
However, following the various recent rain events, I have no doubt it will be out again as soon as I have the time to get another sulphur and elf spray on.
The top-working program to change to more favourable varieties is taking a lot of time and incurring a lot of expense, but the first patch is now being cut off above the bud to encourage it to grow.
Those buds will be put in another patch next week.
Grapes are nearing veraison, when they soften and start accumulating sugar, and I am pleased to say things are looking pretty good at this stage.
I reckon we are a week or so ahead of normal growth stage.
As far as marketing fruit this season, it’s a bit like riding a bike in a headwind. Did I mention this bike of mine also comes with flat tyres and is missing a chain – but that I’m still pedalling?
And if things weren’t quite bad enough, now I have an elf problem.
They are in plague proportions and are creating havoc in the vineyard.
They sit in the vines, throwing grapes at vehicles when they go past, and when I can convince a winery rep to have a look at the vines with the hope of a sale, an elf uses a sling shot and shoots grapes at us, hitting one guy right between the eyes.
The orbs have caught some, but they said that elf doesn’t taste any good, so they are not very interested in lowering the numbers.
I should mention at this point the chemical reps look at you with that familiar level of suspicion when you say you require an elf spray – although one suggested a certain insecticide spray but then suggested an off the shelf alternative.
Have a great Christmas and happy new year to all – and remember to talk to your mates.
