Simone and Lucie, of Equilibrium Makers now represent the French company WorldWide Vineyards, expert in T-Bud and Chip-Bud grafting in New Zealand. With the borders re-opened they are now able to bring an expert in to do grafting throught the country.
EVENT: Expert grafter Stefano Vezza will be in Martinborough Monday 14th of November for a workshop / presentation about T-Bud and Chip-Bud grafting. If you wish to attend see contact details below.
Worldwide Vineyards is specialized in grafting and top-grafting since 1985 and guarantee 90% success or more, and intervene all over the world. Learn more about WorldWide Vineyards : https://worldwide-vineyards.com/
Chip and T – Bud is a great alternative to change variety or clone. It has many advantages such as preserving the root system, allowing the winegrower to save capital and have a new crop after one year. It is also less invasive than removing an entire vineyard.
CHIP AND T-BUD TOP GRAFTING: AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE UPROOTING OF THE VINEYARD – Preserving the root system, allowing winegrowers to save capital and have a new crop after only one year.
Those techniques are less invasive than remove an entire vineyard. Unfortunately, not known enough. Several grafting methods exist, some can be brutal (like cleft graft or bark graft on vines of big diameters) because they require the decapitation of the trunk and can lead to the death of the vine.
Budding-techniques (Chip and T-Budding) have better result and are more respectful of the plant as explained by Nigel Sowman (Dog Point Vineyard Blenheim, Marlborough) “The use of chip and T budding means that there is always the ability to redo if for some reason a bud doesn’t take, thus guaranteeing a high success rate. I would definitely recommend them for any top grafting you have coming up. I have used Worldwide Vineyards top grafting team a number of times, covering 7.5 Ha.
Fast, professional and with an exceptionally high success rate. It is a great way to maximise the already established root system and get back to production.”
Worldwide Vineyards is specialized in grafting and top-grafting since 1985 and guarantee 90% success or more, and intervene all over the world.
Why grafting a vineyard instead of uprooting it?
In addition to preserving the roots of the vines and the precious microbiological balance and fertility of the soil, the economic factor comes into play. Ex-planting and replanting a vineyard as well as the loss of 3 harvests represent a considerable cost for the winegrower.
Grafting allows winegrowers to preserve capital and have a new crop after only one year (photo 8), matching market demand and avoiding the waste of energy, time and money.
Why bud-grafting is the best option for your vineyard? This is a real plant surgery, which does not bring necrosis to the plant, unlike traditional techniques (photos 5, 6, 7). Once grafted, a terminal rod or stem is kept on the top of the stock to keep the vine alive.
When do you graft in Chip-bud and T-bud?
The fundamental part of this operation are the buds of the new variety. During the winter, on the same day of pruning, they collect the scions (bud-stick) and store in the fridge at 4º C, with specific packaging measures, so they can remain fresh and intact until the day of the grafting operations.
The right time to graft in Chip-bud and T-bud is during Spring, November and December. After grafting, a particular care of the plants is necessary, to encourage the growth of the new bud. A few days after the operation, it is essential to cut off the old foliage while preserving the terminal stem. Twelve days later the terminal stem will be cut back to one leaf. During the vegetative activity, the vines will be de-suckered and tied regularly in order to sustain the development of the graft and
avoid unpleasant breakage.
Change variety and/or clone?
It can be, to match market demand or to improve a particular wine. In fact, more and more often, Pinot Noir is grafted on Pinot Noir (for example) with a different clone that meets the winemaker objectives.
Offering consultancy and services in viticulture, Worldwide Vineyards celebrates more than 35 years of international experience in top grafting (field grafting) of grape vines in Europe and throughout the world. Renowned expert in the T-bud and Chip-bud techniques in Europe, and possessing a thorough knowledge of international viticulture, the company is quick to react.