Vine Ecology and Physiology

Vine Physiology

• Gain a fundamental understanding of grapevine physiology, including fruit growth and composition, and how these aspects respond to the interplay of genotype, abiotic environment, and crop management. This knowledge will enable effective vineyard and crop management practices such as pruning, canopy architecture, crop load management, and input application (water, nutrients) to meet specific yield and wine profile objectives.
• Learn to apply practical methods derived from research, including an introduction to remote sensing approaches and specific decision-making tools that identify physiological measures. This will aid in assessing fruit development, composition, and ripening, thereby improving cultural practices and harvest decisions.

Vine Ecology

• Understand the impacts of climate factors and soil characteristics, and their interaction with viticultural practices such as irrigation, soil preparation, cover crops, and nutrient supply to produce desired wine styles and yields.
• Gain the ability to assess and manage potential negative impacts of climate (drought, radiation, frost, hail, high wind) or soil conditions (acidity, pH, erosion, poor organic matter content, salinity).
• Learn to evaluate and measure climate and soil parameters to characterize existing or new sites/terroirs, adapt varieties and rootstocks to new locations, meet market demands for wine styles, and manage inputs like water and nutrients.