Diversification as a climate change adaptation strategy in viticulture systems: Winegrowers' insights from Marlborough, New Zealand

Abstract

Viticulture systems face risks from a changing climate due to grapevine sensitivity and the large degree of specialization that often exists. Diversification of agricultural production systems has been proposed as an effective adaptation strategy. Elements of diversification have featured in viticulture adaptation studies, but the understanding of diversification and its potential as a climate change adaptation strategy has not been explicitly explored with winegrowers. To develop insights in this area we identified regional climate challenges, defined climate change related threats and opportunities, and envisaged diversification solutions. Data collection involved a literature review on climate change impacts, adaptation and diversification in viticulture systems, followed by a focus group with industry stakeholders. Agroecological practices, plant material and vineyard location were the core diversification themes identified in the literature. The study found that winegrowers’ understanding of the potential for diversification include implementing agroecological practices, diversification of plant material (clones, rootstocks), alternative vineyard locations, integrating different crops and growing alternative varieties. The study expands on current literature by explicitly assessing winegrower understanding of the potential for diversification as a climate change adaptation strategy in winegrowing systems.