Toolkit

To certify or not to certify? And if you do want to certify, which one to choose? Here we list the schemes that are certifying vineyards as regenerative

Regenerative viticulture has a whole vocabulary of terms associated with it. This glossary defines the top 100 terms.

Monitoring soil health is essential to improve your soil health. Lab tests every three years can show trends over time. Tests for soil structure can be performed in the vineyard

SOM is an important biological property, the essential food stuff for the soil food web. Minimise losses by minimising tillage. Increase through compost, cover crops, mulch

Tillage exposes the soil to the air, leading to carbon lost to the atmosphere. Native species or cover crops can be managed by mowing, crimping and rolling, grazing

Undervine tillage damages soil biology. Vineyard context will determine the most appropriate alternative for managing this more challenging area

The best way to avoid poorly performing compacted soils is to develop a healthy soil biology: minimise vineyard passes, use plants with deep root systems and encourage earthworms

A key principle is to avoid bare soils. Ground cover reduces soil temperature/evaporation. Living maximises photosynthesis, provides habitat and biodiversity, helps store carbon

Soil life depends on having things growing and living in it. Selection and management of cover crops is context-specific, preferably native species, direct drilled to minimise soil disturbance

Vine fertility is preferably managed through analysis of deficiencies and use of non-synthetic tools to optimise nutritional uptake through the microbial life in the soil

There is great potential with animals to accelerate soil health and regeneration through planned, strategic grazing management. They require good seasonal planning.

Regenerative viticulture looks at the natural water cycles within vineyards and develops systems that enhance the ability to capture, store and recycle water

The goal of a fully regenerative system is the elimination of herbicides. While transitioning requires time, other methods should always be the preference as they are negative for soil health

Synthetic fungicides and copper are detrimental to soil health. RV practices can build resilience but this takes many years. Fungal resistant varieties require little treatment. Biofungicides may be a solution.

Increasing biodiversity in the vineyard with native species encourages populations of beneficial predatory insects to control insect populations. Mating disruption is also effective

Above ground biodiversity is primarily promoted through continuous species-rich ground cover, but also agroforestry and habitat creation

Incorporating trees can reduce temperature, provide shade, retain water, prevent soil erosion, improve soil fertility, sequester carbon, provide habitat

The intentional, strategic planning and creation of the vineyard to form part of a wider ecological system which is both sustainable and resilient