Project Background
The GEN-Z Vineyard Project is an initiative launched by Vinpro in 2016 with the aim of connecting growers to new practices, technologies and research findings through small-scale field demonstrations. Focused, practical forms of knowledge transfer can empower growers to tackle various challenges in the wine industry and make informed decisions in their vineyards.

The project aligns with a few core themes: adaptability to changing climatic conditions in particular drought, cultivar suitability, efficient water-use in vineyards and soil health. At present the network of demos features inter-plantings of rootstocks, cultivars and clones in commercial vineyards, seasonal cover crop demos, trellis systems and pruning methods. These are not scientific experiments but rather field demonstrations in which basic measurements and observations are recorded and require active participation on the part of growers. Interactive Grower Demo Days bring small groups of growers together at demo sites to discuss and observe findings and are an integral part of the Gen-Z vineyards project. The demo collection continues to adapt to the needs of the industry through regular engagement with growers, as new sites and demos are added to showcase fresh ideas and compare old and new practices. The findings of these field demos will be displayed on the GEN-Z website and presented during Grower Demo Days throughout the wine regions.

Our mission

  • Generate valuable viticulture-based information and technical know-how through establishment of small-scale field demos
  • Connect growers, viticulturists, vineyard managers to new practices, technology and vineyard tools
  • Support the wine grape producer to make informed decisions in their production systems

Inter-planting demos

investigate the difference in performance of various of rootstock-scion combinations growing in a range of macro- and mesoclimates.

Cover crops

are sown for many reasons but determining which species work best and meets the needs of a grower on a specific soil, in each region, can be a hit-or-miss exercise. The cover crop demos aim to take some of the guesswork out of selecting a cover crop.

cover crop

selection is dependent on the vineyard vigour, available water, rainfall patterns, soil condition objectives (increasing organic carbon, creating a protective ground cover/mulch), weed suppression and pest control goals. Certain cover crop species can be combined with positive results while others perform best on their own.

Trellis Systems

Certain rootstock-scion combinations are best suited to be cultivated as bushvines, while other combinations suit VSP systems or split canopy trellis systems. The wine quality and production goals, management and installation costs, vigour and disease-pressure are all factors that need to be considered when selecting a trellis system. Understanding how selected cultivars perform on various trellis systems can contribute to decision-making when planning a new vineyard.