Vinehealth Australia is eagerly anticipating a successful #V19 for the Coonawarra Rootstock Trial. After a couple of successive years of not harvesting the vines in the trial due to seasonal conditions, we are looking forward to our first season of small lot winemaking this year to assess the wine characteristics from this mature rootstock planting.
This trial, established in 2009, is a long term joint venture between Coonawarra Vignerons, Treasury Wine Estates and Vinehealth Australia. It was planted in Coonawarra, a region with approximately 13% of vines planted to rootstock, to broaden our understanding of rootstock performance in the Limestone Coast.
The replicated planting is on the region’s famed terra rossa soil, and compares the performance of own-rooted Cabernet Sauvignon (CW 44 clone) vines against that of eight rootstocks:
- 110 Richter
- Ramsey
- 1103 Paulsen
- 140 Ruggeri
- Börner
- M5512, M5489 and M6262 bred as low-moderate vigour rootstocks with low potassium uptake.
Wine is scheduled to be made this vintage from all rootstocks except M6262 and we look forward to sharing the wine through a series of tastings.
While we wait for the grapes to reach optimum ripeness, join us for a vineyard walk on Thursday 21 March to view the trial rows, to taste the grapes and to discuss differences between the rootstocks. For more information, refer to the vineyard walk flyer and register your interest at https://limestonecoastwine.com.au/whats-on/rootstock-walk-march-2019/.
Stay tuned for more information about the trial from #V19 as it comes to hand.