While some details may have changed since this case study
was undertaken, the principles and the positive outcomes, both
financial and environmental, remain the same and are transferable
to any business.
Tributary Estate
Company profile
Vignerons Mick & Dianne Koch of Moculta currently manage
a site of 84 hectares (ha), which produces white and red grape
varieties for Yalumba. Mick and Dianne are currently planting
18 ha (45 acres) of vines.
Manufacturing processes
The Koch’s grow Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mataro, Merlot,
Grenache, Riesling, Semillon, Chardonnay, Traminer, Viognier and
Frontignac varieties in predominantly red clay soils over limestone.
The trellises used are mainly single wire with some double wire
vertical and foliage wires used in some varieties. They use a
combination of wood and steel post supports and have recently
incorporated posts made from recycled plastics. All varieties
are drip irrigated and in the more recent plantings the drip line
has been buried. Soil moisture levels are closely monitored using
an Enviroscan system. Water is supplied from an underground bore
and an 85-megalitre dam filled with River Murray water.
Pests include light brown apple moth, bud mite, rabbits, hares
and birds. Diseases include downy mildew and powdery mildew. Grape
harvesters can also introduce weed seeds from outside the district.
Vine pruning is mechanical with additional hand pruning where
necessary. Prunings remain in the vineyard. Large sticks are mulched
when the cover crop is mowed. This cover crop is typically rye
grass and clover, which is mowed into the vineyard.
Bird control is effected through the use of heli kites and hawk
kites. A gas gun supports these devices.
Grapes are typically harvested at a rate of 11/4 acres/hr though
the use of machine harvesters. All mechanical harvesting is via
use of company contractors. Paddock 5A (old vine shiraz) is the
only block hand picked because of the high quality of the fruit
which is collected in 1/2 tonne bins. Fruit is then delivered
to the winery via B-double trucks.
 Link
to Yalumba
The Koch’s have supplied fruit to Yalumba since 1991 and
previously supplied to Saltram.
Action undertaken
An eco-efficiency audit was conducted at Tributary Estate in
March 2002 that inspected and reviewed the company facilities
and activities. This included assessment of the:
- Supply chain (transportation and logistics)
- Inputs including energy usage (electricity, gas), and water
usage
- Outputs including waste generation, and products
The main objectives for future development and implementation
by Tributary were:
- reduced water evaporation
- more efficient use of chemicals
The following table provides a summary of the Action Plan.
| AREA |
ACTION |
POTENTIAL BENEFITS |
| Irrigation |
Investigate partial root zone drying techniques and continue
with subsurface irrigation and night time irrigation. |
Reduced evaporation losses and therefore water consumption
and salt loads. |
| |
Possible introduction of windrows. |
|
| Chemical Spraying |
Avoid spraying during windy days. |
More efficient use of chemicals. |
| |
Use under vine spraying and mechanical weeding techniques. |
|
| Mulch/compost |
Place mulch or composted materials under the vines. |
Suppress weed growth and reduce evaporation from surface
soils thereby reducing water consumption. Improved water retention
in treated soils. |
Recycled plastic posts
|
Where practicable use recycled plastic posts. |
Re-use of waste plastic results in less waste to landfill.
|
Project outcomes
As a result of the project Tributary has received direct cost
savings and identified the following specific outcomes:
Environmental benefits
Reduced chemical spraying. Use of mulch/compost has resulted
in a reduction in water.
Economic benefits
Cost savings realised on chemical spraying. Use of mulch has
improved soil quality and moisture retention - cost savings unquantified.
Other issues that have arisen include:
The GBAP was a worthwhile project to be involved in and was
instrumental in creating an environmental mindset for the grower.
This page was last modified 23-10-2007
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