Skeltons Viticulture Development Grant

The Skeltons Viticulture Development Grant was initiative launched in 2007 and concluded in 2010.

The grant, funded by Skeltons, Plant and Food Research, Ballance Agri-Nutrients and Bayer CropScience New Zealand, aimed to enhance the competitive advantage of the East Coast viticulture industry, encourage originality and foster continual improvement.

Grant allocations covered costs including those involved with laboratory and/or field research; travel – both within New Zealand and overseas; industry specialists’ fees; market analysis of new products.

Ideas submitted in the past have been varied and successful grant projects have included:

Reseach into mealybug control using non-host cover crops - a project covered by a grant in 2008 and then again in 2009. A new frost protection system - research funded in 2008 and 2009. Gibberellic acid for sour rot control in grapes. Managing humidity in the vineyard, comparing ground cover and bare land under vines. Evaluation of technology to reduce early season Botyrtis pressure in Chardonnay. Assessing the impact of Molybdenum application on the quality of fruit and wine. An ongoing biological bird control research project - by use of hawk, being carried out by Rob Beard of Maimai Creek Vineyard in Meeanee, Napier. Development and trialling of a top-grafting machine. Contributing to a visit by leading international mealy bug experts, Drs Kent Daane and assisting to bring Dr Richard Smart, an international wine grape researcher to Hawke’s Bay for research trials and grower seminars.