For the last couple of years Bodegas Fundador have been carrying out
some innovative practices in the vineyards which will not only benefit them
but also viticulture in Jerez in general. According to the firm these practices
are based on the reducton of environmental impact of viticulture by reducing
the need for herbicides using two ways of controlling weeds. These involve the
planting of certain grasses and pulses which compete with the most damaging
weeds. In spring they are ground up and the remains are mulched into the soil.
The total area of the experiment is 20 hectares of Fundador vineyard in the
pago Macharnudo. Another advantage of this is
improvement in the texture of the soil, reducing erosion and contributing to
increased diversity of beneficial insects. At the same time these practices will
allow for experimentation with various quality wines and selected grape
varieties as well as other fresh raw materials derived from grapes.
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| Grasses and pulses growing between vine rows (foto:diariodejerez) |
Separately, Fundador is working
on what they call “rejuvenation and revitalisation of the vineyard”. Starting
with a parcel of vines of medium age where the vines have begun to lean and have
lost their shape, they are cutting them off above the graft which results in
the formation of an exceptionally vigorous new bud which will effectively form
a new vine. They then install trellising with galvanised wires at a higher
level, and the vines reconstitute themselves completely in a couple of years.This experiment is being carried
out in another two parcels of one hectare each in the Macharnudo. Further objectives
are to increase grape production, increase the efficiency of mechanisation and
extend the life of the vines. Another notable experiment is aimed at future
plantings and involves the multiplication of 10 virus free clones of Palomino.
The overall aim is to achieve healthy disease resistant plants with good yields
and high sugar levels.
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