Central Otago's vines are going green with a new scheme to have viticulture in the district certified organic.
The Central Otago Winegrowers Association (Cowa) received $30,000 from Organics Aotearoa New Zealand to help develop organic viticulture throughout Central Otago's winegrowing areas including Alexandra, Cromwell, Bannockburn, and Gibbston.
Cowa president Martin Anderson said the money will be used to provide information and advice to winegrowers on how to convert their vineyards with organic processes and eventually become certified.
"There are a number of certifications a vineyard can have.
"More and more there is a mindset that we should be doing certain things organically in our vineyards because of the impact on our environment.
"The future of our region and the products we produce are reliant on the health of our lands and waterways.
We are taking a considerable step in the right direction to protect the future generations of land users," he said.
The money, to be spent over two years, will be boosted by the association's commitment to the project to provide a regional co-ordinator who will oversee the programme and provide information and support for viticulturists interested in becoming organic.
"There are only a couple of certified organic vineyards in the district and a few others are interested in converting.
"The first question everyone asks is whether it is financially viable, and that is something we will look at in this project by developing some financial models," he said.
Other concerns included how to deal with weeds commonly killed with chemical sprays, and the impact organics may have on Central Otago wine's growing international reputation.
