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This is perhaps the most critical time in the vineyard. Now we have to fight for every bunch of grapes. At the moment the grapes ripen slowly but surely in dappled shade, protected from too much heat and UV light. |
Tree dragon or Jacky Lizard (Amphibolurus muricatus)
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UV light and heat are much stronger in Australia than in Europe. In one hot day we can loose all the exposed grapes to sun burn... |
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swamp wallaby![]() |
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... in years of drought our wallabies survive on vine leaves... |
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...prehistoric monsters lurk under the vines.. | ![]() |
...but the biggest threat are bush fires. Not only because of the great danger, but because of their smoke, which can linger for a long time. |
bush fire and smoke 2007: |
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^ 2007 2009 > 2011 >> |
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smoke 2011 caused by burn-off | ![]() |
But if all goes well the grapes ripen.
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rainbow lorikeet![]() |
Unripe grapes taste awful, even to birds. |
rainbow lorikeet![]() |
Many birds love grapes, and they love them much earlier than we do.... | ![]() |
juvenile crimson rosella![]() |
Croad langshan chicken checking out the grapes![]() |
and, like us, keep a beady eye on the ripening process.... | Croad langshan chicken checking out the grapes![]() |
....clearly it is time for the bird nets. | ![]() |
Nothing at all will keep grapes from birds (they have evolved together) ! Not rubber snakes, nor artificial falcons, nor funny scare crows, nor sophisticated radar-controlled alarm sounds, nor gas double bangs, and certainly not shooting. |
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So over about two weeks we will net the whole vineyard, one row at a time. |
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And from one week to the next the vineyard becomes a very unfriendly place for wildlife. |
Croad langshan chicken![]() |
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baby hare (can not be seen as does not hear) |
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whistling kite![]() |
The worst enemy for birds are other birds, and as the grape eaters settle on the vineyard, the predators suddenly congregate to keep the balance. |
whistling kite![]() |
Birds will always find their way into the net, but with only one row covered it is usually easy to chase them out again. | juvenile crimson rosella![]() |
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juvenile yellow wattle bird![]() |
Birds eating whole grape berries are less of a problem than birds who just peck, chew and damage berries. These berries will rot, attract moulds, vinegar flies and bees. |
juvenile crimson rosella![]() |
The bird nets now need constant patrolling. We have to adjust the nets blown off by the wind, keep birds out and chase out the ones which have succeeded in getting in. And nearly every year one catches a foot in the net and has to be rescued and cut out. And the net mended again. |
juvenile crimson rosella![]() |
bird nets blown off by wind![]() |
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And now the time for fine-tuning is over. |
botrytis in pinot noir![]() |
Cutting out mouldy grapes and feeding them to our cattle may (or may not) prevent spreading of the disease. However, the cattle love nothing better. | the leaves covering grapes have been picked off![]() |
botrytis in pinot noir![]() |
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© Sarsfield Estate | ![]() |