Soil resource assessment for viticultural developments in North Canterbury

Abstract

Viticulture in North Canterbury began with plantings in the late 1970's and early 1980's and continues to expand. A programme of soil investigations commenced in 1990 and since 1992 continues in response to client requests. There are no long term New Zealand studies relating grape quality and wine character to specific site and soil conditions. A practical knowledge, built on European and Australian experience suggests that site and soil conditions contribute to local differences in wine quality. North Canterbury has a wide variety of terrain and soil conditions (Griffiths, 1980) and ideal microclimates for growing grapes, which may eventually lead to the recognition of distinctive microclimate - soil - vine ecosystems or terroir. The ideal soil for viticulture is free draining and allows control of the water regime, especially in the latter period of fruit development. This is achieved where subsoils are coarse textured gravels or sands, or are clays which tend to crack in summer and are more massive in winter; as both limit soil water storage capacity