Grapevine yield is central to determining the profitability and quality of winegrowing. Despite this fact, the industry is very poor at anticipating and managing yield. Scientific literature over the past 80 years has contained many research reports discussing the impact of weather conditions at flowering and during the initiation of bunches, and the role of over-wintering reserves on the subsequent development of the vine and the potential crop levels. While it must be accepted that in some seasons catastrophic events such as a frost or hailstorm may have an unpredictable influence on yield, a yield estimate should be possible using weather (which largely determines bunch number and weight) and cropping (which determines over-wintering reserves) records in the current and previous season. The Centre’s yield management and prediction research programme seeks to understand factors influencing grapevine yield, with the aim of developing a robust yield prediction system that enables the industry to adapt vineyard practices to ensure consistent grape supply.
