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Viticulture is the term used for the business of growing grapes. It is a science distinct from oenology ie. winemaking (which is also known as vinification). With the current success of Australian wine exports and the wine industry target of reaching A$1.65 billion by 2010, there will be considerable new planting of grapes in coming years. We will hear a lot more about viticulture in the next decade as it becomes more and more important. Vineyards are being planted but it is an expensive business. Vineyards cost about A$25,000 - A$30,000 per hectare to plant and maintain for the first three or four years. By the fourth or fifth year, a good crop should be available. Depending on climate, season, irrigation, grape variety and other factors, a well set up vineyard will produce 12 - 15 tonnes of grapes per hectare. Wine grapes sell for about A$600/tonne although premium grapes from good areas such as Coonawarra fetch up to A$2,000 per tonne. On these average figures, a new vineyard will achieve a return in the fifth year of A$12,000 per hectare (having cost about A$27,000 to establish). Allowing for interest charges, the vineyard establishment will be paid for after four years of production ie. about 8 - 9 years after commencement. Of course, there can be bad years, frosts, pests and diseases which interfere with the figures. Hence there is demand for trained viticulturists to minimise risks. At present, the obstacles to the predicted expansion of vineyards are investment capital and a shortage of skilled viticulturists. There are various career routes to becoming a professional viticulturist. People with existing training and experience in horticulture can convert their skills. You may enrol for a formal science course. The two main institutions teaching Viticulture are Charles Sturt University, Wagga, NSW; and The University of Adelaide. Full time and part time / correspondence courses are available.
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There are substantial industry linked post-graduate programs. There is an industry group called The Australian Council of Viticulture (ACV). It produced a discussion paper in 1995 which discussed the need for well trained viticulturists as well as various developments in this field of education. Contact the ACV at PO Box 154, Glen Osmond, SA 5064, Australia. The government and industry has set up the Cooperative Research Centre for Viticulture (CRCV). A free quarterly newsletter is produced. Anyone who wishes to find out about current trends in Australian viticulture should receive it (contact CRCV, Telephone Australia 8-303 9405 Fax 8-303 9449). Current CRCV projects fall into various programs. One is researching the mechanisms for flavour development of wine grapes. Another is studying species of vines and rootstock. There is a program devoted to pests and diseases. A video is available from CRCV showing the educational opportunities and career prospects in the viticulture industry. Contact the CRCV at the above address. Australian wine developed greatly in the 1970's in its ability to be produced with a high quality for an inexpensive price. A lot of effort and recognition has gone into the technology of winemaking. In the 1990's attention is turning to grape growing. Grapes with diseases or a low flavour in the hands of a skilled winemaker will make a passable wine. However, great wines can only be made from high quality grapes. Winemakers know that developments in quality in Australian wines will lie in the science of grape production. Viticulture will be an exciting area in Australia in coming decades.
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