Barossa grower shares vine knowledge with Balinese

August 2004 The Singaraja region of northern Bali has been growing table grapes since early Dutch settlement. The livelihood of many of the region’s villages is highly dependant on the quality of their grapes. The humidity of the region has always been a problem causing mildew and destroying much of the fruit which is grown as table grapes and more recently used for wine production. On a visit to Bali, some two years ago, Barossa grapegrower Steve Schubert became interested in the fledgling winegrape industry of Bali and has since been sharing his viticultural experience and information with Balinese growers who wish to grow grapes for wine. With advice from grape expert Richard Cirami and the Riverland Vine Improvement Society, Chambourcin winegrape cuttings were provided and are now being trialled at the Hatten Wines vineyards for their suitability for the local environment. Chambourcin being chosen in the first instance because of its natural resistance to moulds and mildews. Three trials are presently being carried out with some vines grafted to local root stock, some own-rooted, but all growing overhead in pergola style. Later in the year, two contemporary and hopefully more-successful styles of trellis will be installed in an effort to improve air circulation in the vineyard, let more sunlight in and grow better-balanced vines. At a recent visit to the Hatten Wines vineyards in Bali, Steve Schubert and Hatten Wines’ vineyard manager Thomas Hadi Wibowo, inspected the development of the Chambourcin vines. Schubert was surprised at the rapid growth of the vines and is looking forward to the Chambourcin trials’ next stage when further recommendations for cultivation and trellising are in place. Some people go to Bali for the nightlife, sand and beaches, why wouldn’t a grapegrower go to play in a vineyard?