Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/646485
w w w. v w m m e d i a . c o m M a r - A p r 2 016 | V I N E YA R D & W I N E RY M A N A G E M E N T 7 1 Seemingly, everyone concurs m u c h m o r e r e s e a r c h i s n e e d - e d b e f o r e b i o c h a r a p p l i c a t i o n becomes a practice widely adopt- ed by grapegrowers. There are, for example, questions as to whether it's the carbon that's doing the heavy lifting in the chemical inter- actions associated with seques- tration or the soil itself retaining greenhouse gases. Another to-be-determined ques- tion is whether some grape varieties respond better than others to the addition of biochar. Tony Hoksber- gen, general manager – viticulture at Yealands Wine Group in New Zea- land, expects this would be "more likely to be influenced by soil condi- tions" than a result of grape type. But Gradek counters he'd expect to see results in more "intense" wine- grapes, particularly reds. There simply isn't long-term data available on any of these issues, say Niehues and others. The carbon This even growth results in cost and time savings. A m o n g t h e v i n e y a r d s u s i n g CoolTerra in trials are Bonterra Organic Vineyards (Hopland, Calif.); Monterey Pacific Vineyards (King City, Calif.); Calplans Vineyards (Napa and Healdsburg, Calif.); Ridge Vineyards (Healdsburg, Calif.); and Spring Mountain Vineyard (St. Hel- ena, Calif.). The method of application is key. Unlike other amendments, says Gradek, it's most effective when in contact with, or adjacent to, the plant roots. "Engineered biocarbon should be incorporated at the root level or at a depth roots will even- tually grow into, as it generally will not migrate into the soil profile," he explains. The importance of incor- poration is due to the long-term persistence in the soil. "Unlike com- post, CoolTerra facilitates reactions beneficial to soil dynamics without being consumed in the process." Tony Hoksbergen of Yealands Wine Group in New Zealand, where there is interest in converting its vine prunings and grape pomace into biochar. HI2020W Wine pH Measurement Kit The HI2020W wine pH kit includes the HI2020 edge® meter that can be used in portable, benchtop and wall- mount configurations. This meter is only 0.5" thick and is also compatible with edge conductivity and dissolved oxygen electrodes. This pH kit includes a wine specific pH electrode that is resistant to clogging, magnetic stirrer, wine specific calibration, storage and cleaning solutions. hannainst.com/HI2020W | sales@hannainst.com | (877) MY-HANNA The edge HI2020W wine pH kit includes all the necessary supplies to determine the pH of wine, must, and juice accurately. Wine producers trust Hanna because consistency ensures quality.