Soft pruning method Simonit & Sirch is gaining popularity in South Australian vineyards, with several leading wine producers adopting it. Among these are Henschke and Torbreck who have followed this method since 2016 and 2017 respectively.
The pruning method uses principles that improve vine health and vine balance, focussing on avoiding large cuts to promote free sap flow and undertaking shoot thinning to maintain the balance.
The field trip will visit Henschke’s Mount Edelstone vineyard in the Eden Valley and Torbreck’s Descandant vineyard in the Barossa Valley.
Join Prue Henschke in a discussion on how soft pruning prevents Eutypa dieback, looks after sap flow and leads to better wood structure, age ability and drought resilience.
Torbreck viticulturist Nigel Blieschke wishes he had understood the benefits of soft pruning earlier, and the impact it has on reduced incidence of trunk diseases. He will discuss the soft pruning principles and the management decisions required to respond to each season.
Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity. This visit is timed to demonstrate both the pruning and shoot thinning elements of the Simonit & Sirch method.
Schedule:
Friday, 21 October 2022
8.00am Bus departs Clare Valley Wine, Food & Tourism Centre
9.30am Torbreck Descendant Vineyard, Marananga
Soft pruning and shoot thinning discussion with viticulturist Nigel Blieschke
11.15am Henschke Mount Edelstone Vineyard, Eden Valley
Prue Henschke speaks on the impact of six years of soft pruning at Henschke
12.30pm Lunch
3.00pm Bus returns to Clare Valley Wine, Food and Tourism Centre