Canopy Management Workshops

Dr. Richard Smart conducting a Canopy Management Workshop in Kent, England

Would you like a canopy management workshop in your region?

These have been the most successful forum for Dr Richard Smart, 'the flying vine-doctor' to deliver his revolutionary message about canopy management. He has given seminars in Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Argentina, Canada, England, South Africa, Spain and Italy to date. Audiences of up to 120 persons have been accommodated in what is typically a day long program of illustrated lectures and vineyard demonstrations.

The following are a series of typical lecture titles which Dr Smart uses at these workshops. Feel free to enquire about others.

Factors affecting vineyard yield and wine quality. This is essentially an illustrated address which covers factors other than canopy management which impact on yield and wine quality. Included are aspects of climate and soils, varieties, clones and rootstocks, and pests and diseases. This talk normally takes 45 minutes, and allow another 15 minutes for questions.

The physiological basis for canopy management: how it improves quality and yield and reduces important diseases. This 45 minute address discusses the evolutionary perspectives of viticulture and how they are reflected in modern vineyard practice. In particular, the effect of sunlight on vine photosynthesis and fruit ripening is presented, as well as sunlight effects on fruit bud initiation and other yield components. The deleterious effects of canopy shade on wine grape composition are discussed, along with reasons how canopy microclimate affects important diseases such as Botrytis bunch rot and Oidium.

"The choice and management of winegrape training systems.. This talk describes the most important canopy management systems in use around the world today, and emphasises those designed to improve yield and quality, and to facilitate mechanisation. Slides are presented to show how the systems look, and guidelines given as to choice of training system based on vineyard vigour, row spacing, mechanisation etc. The systems which are discussed include non-positioned "sprawling" canopies, Vertical Shoot Positioning, Scott Henry, Smart Dyson, lyre and Geneva Double Curtain. Allow for 45 minutes plus questions.

The Golden Rules of Viticulture. How they can make you rich and famous.In this presentation, Dr Smart discusses his famous Golden Rules of Viticulture and their relevance to important vineyard decisions of trellis choice and pruning level. Golden Rule number one describes canopy density relationships and their relevance. Golden Rule number two tells about how to decide on the correct winter pruning level for your vineyard based on measurements of pruning weights. The tricky part is to be able to use the two rules simultaneously, learn how to do it! Normally 30 minutes required, and allow for lots of questions.

Vineyard quality assurance. . This 45 minute address will go through all the record keeping requirements of modern viticulture, emphasising quality assurance procedures to improve quality. The programs can be tailored to regional needs, as for example in integrated pest management monitoring procedures. This session does not demonstrate how to use the software, but merely what it is capable of.

These are examples of lecture tiles offered. Dr Smart likes to have a local chairman, and to use local growers and winemakers discussing their experiences as well. There should also be time allowed for panel sessions.

The vineyard demonstrations can be carried out at any time of the year, but points are best made between veraison and harvest, and before winter pruning. Demonstrations can include management of trellis systems, application of the Golden Rules, and conversion of existing vines to new systems.

The workshops require normal lecture hall facilities, including lapel and fixed microphones, data projector, large screen, overhead projector, and white board and pens.

Dr Smart likes to offer this workshop in collaboration with local growers or winemakers associations. Contact him for a quote.