With spring only days away, it’s time to consider the celebrations and visitors that the warmth will bring.
Like a flush of new grapevine shoots, weddings and events come out of winter hibernation and fill cellar doors, function centers and regional accommodation in spring. Grower-focused vineyard workshops and walks also increase.
Typically, visitors do not consider the risk of introducing pests, diseases and weeds into vineyards that they enter.
As vineyard owners, we have responsibilities to ensure events do not turn into regional biosecurity alerts.
With increased travel and an influx of interstate and international visitors that may have been in phylloxera-infested vineyards in the last 29 days, now is the time to prepare for these events.
Biosecurity does not mean the bride and groom need to don protective suits or stand in chlorine footbaths* for 60 seconds, but there are some simple things you can do to keep your vineyards safe during events.
Biosecurity tips to prepare for events:
- Every vineyard should have a biosecurity plan which will include how to manage visitors and vehicles. The plan needs to be regularly reviewed and updated.
- Ask visitors not to walk down vineyard rows. Provide alternative locations for picnics and photography.
- Know the Phylloxera Management Zones in Australia. Ask where visitors have been in the last 29 days to understand their risk and assist in planning vineyard access.
- Have designated parking for guests on hard surfaces and do not allow parking near vine rows.
- If nearby functions are known to cause traffic and parking issues at your property, shut and lock vineyard gates are erect no parking signage to restrict access points.
- Vineyard fencing is encouraged to avoid visitors walking into vineyard rows, but we know it’s not always practical or possible. Bunting or temporary fencing for site functions can help deter guests from walking into vine rows. Hedge rows are another alternative but will take longer to establish.
- Ensure signs are in place to warn visitors of the risk of introducing pests, diseases and weeds. Vinehealth Australia has a range of signs available for purchase and are suited to various needs.
- Communicate the importance of biosecurity by displaying biosecurity notices at prominent locations to educate guests about the importance of maintaining biosecurity. Click here for standard wording or contact Vinehealth Australia on 8273 0550 for advice.
- Ensure staff are trained in biosecurity principles, especially cellar door staff who may be the first point of contact. Staff turnover is common, so ensure new staff are aware of site biosecurity requirements.
- Avoid removing plant material from vineyards or bringing plant material to vineyards. Even eating of semi-ripe grapes closer to harvest may contain spray residues so ingestion should be avoided.
- If erecting marques and other equipment, ensure all items in contact with soil are appropriately cleaned before arrival and are disinfested upon departure. If the marque is near a vineyard, contractors need to disinfest footwear. Record evidence of any cleaning and disinfestation.
We all can be biosecurity advocates. Talking simple steps to prepare for events can make all the difference. Vinehealth Australia has a simple checklist to make visitations memorable while also maintaining biosecurity.
And if you see something risky, say something. You can use our ‘Reporting a biosecurity incident’ online form here.
*The bride and groom would typically have new clothes or freshly cleaned clothing, and shoes which are unlikely to have been worn in vineyards previously. For this reason, the risk of phylloxera is reduced and why protective suits and footbaths are not needed. Note that other guests, caterers, photographers, and even onlookers do not have the same low risk. Therefore, best practice is to not allow visitors into your vineyards.