Latest vineyard to benefit from biodiversity boost

An iconic Adelaide Hills vineyard is the latest organisation to collaborate with the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board as part of the Wildlife for Wine project.

Staff from Petaluma Wines and the board recently planted more than 2000 seedlings of 17 different native species in an onsite wetland for the benefit of both the environment and grape production.

Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board Landscape Officer Rob Murphy has been guiding the work at Petaluma.

“We’re supporting grape growers to increase local native biodiversity, which in turn attracts native animal species – especially insects – that can help control pests in the vineyard, and so reduce the need for chemical control,” he explained.

“Kersbrook Landcare Group Nursery has generously grown and provided seedlings of sedges, rushes, shrubs, grasses and trees.”

Wildlife for Wine began in 2018 with growers in the McLaren Vale Wine Region, joined the following year by the Adelaide Hills Wine Region and the Barossa Valley (now part of the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board region), and most recently, Langhorne Creek Wine Region growers.

About 41 hectares in total has been planted this year to native species on viticultural properties across the McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills and Barossa as part of Wildlife for Wine.

“The native species plantings at Petaluma has been one of the biggest Wildlife for Wine collaborative projects to date,” Rob said.

Petaluma Vineyard Manager Chris Morley and Viticulturist Mike Harms have worked closely with the board to get to this stage.

“It has been great working with Rob on this project,” Chris and Mike said.

“We appreciate the support from the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board and the Kersbrook Landcare Group Nursery. We are really looking forward to seeing the trees and other plants establish over the coming years.”

Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board Central Hills project coordinator James Hall said, “it has been a pleasure working with Chris and Mike and other staff at Petaluma, who have embraced the project and the substantial benefits that can come from improving biodiversity in the landscape.”

To find out more about Wildlife for Wine, watch this video at https://landscape.sa.gov.au/hf/land/landholder-services/wildlife-for-wine or search online for ‘Hills and Fleurieu Wildlife for Wine’.

To find out how to enhance biodiversity on your property, phone 8391 7500 or email hf.landscapeboard@sa.gov.au

Image: Chris Morley (second right), and Rob Murphy (far right) with planting team