Generation Y-ine - João Corbett

Generation Y-ine

João Corbett spreads the word on organics

KAT DUGGAN

JOÃO CORBETT has long been passionate about biodiversity in the vineyard, seeing it as an opportunity to increase vine health, while improving soil quality. The viticulturist and estate manager at Seresin Estate in Marlborough says an interest in organics was forged during his university years in Brazil, along with a fascination with biology and diversity “and how they work together”.

After 16 years learning amid the vines, including two spent immersed in the biodynamic practices of Seresin, João was set to be one of the keynote speakers at the inaugural Australasian Symposium for Vineyard Greening in Christchurch this July. The conference, organised by Lincoln University with the support of the Bragato Research Institute, has been postponed due to Covid-19 restrictions, but João is looking forward to eventually sharing his insights with like-minded people, as well as those interested in developing more biodiverse vineyard operations. “I think this is a fantastic opportunity to just spread the word out there.”

The team at Seresin are very much focused on biodiversity in the vineyard, resulting in an all but selfsufficient operation, João says. “We have a very full-on approach with biodiversity.” Seresin’s 82 hectare property has 52ha planted with vines and 3ha in olives, as well as livestock that are rotated through all the blocks and paddocks, he says. “That’s as well as a veggie patch, which we grow to make the (biodynamic) preparations and some food for us as well.” The philosophy is to produce as much on estate as they can, with only a few inputs sourced elsewhere, “which is pretty much just sulfur that we need to spray the canopies with, and seaweed”, he says. “Everything else is grown here.”

The diversity of organisms in the vineyard in the form of cover crops, biodynamic preparations and livestock, as well as the vines, enhances natural processes and interactions, João says. “It brings more and more diversity and having those vines in a more broad connection with the environment, it’s definitely creating a lot of resilience against diseases and pests.” Along with developing resilience, biodiversity in the vineyard can also improve drainage, soil water holding capacity, organic matter and nutrient cycling, he adds.

Born and raised in Brazil, João studied agriculture engineering in his home country, beginning his working career there with table grapes. In 2007, he moved to New Zealand to work in the wine industry, immerse himself in the culture and learn a new language. He has spent time between the two countries ever since, taking his role at Seresin Estate in 2018.

Throughout his career, an interest in biodiversity and organics has been a constant, and something he

“We have a very full-on approach with biodiversity.”

has continued to learn about. “Back in 2009 or 2010, there were not a lot of people working with organics. They couldn’t actually see much of a difference or benefit about it,” he says. “Now I can see we have enough technology and knowledge to put this practice together and to have biology helping us control disease and improve quality and at the same time creating a much more beneficial and diverse environment.”

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