Bringing balance back to the vineyard
Tucked away along a quiet road in McLaren Vale, GH Sharpe Vineyards is showing how working with nature can reap rewards for both land and livelihood. Since 2019, the vineyard has become home to one of South Australia’s largest insectary plantings - over 10,000 native seedlings from more than 70 species - designed to support beneficial insects vital for sustainable viticulture.
The transformation is the result of a partnership between GH Sharpe Vineyards, Landscapes Hills and Fleurieu, and Biodiversity McLaren Vale. Their shared goal is to restore ecological balance by creating habitat for predatory insects and insect-eating birds that naturally manage vineyard pests.
“Insects like lacewings, lady beetles, predatory wasps, and spiders are essential allies,” said Landscapes Hills and Fleurieu’s Jeff Edwards.
“They help control pests such as light brown apple moth and scale insects, and their presence indicates a healthy, functioning ecosystem.”
After six years the insectary is thriving, with a noticeable increase in spider populations - a sign that the vineyard’s natural pest control strategy is working. Spiders, being generalist feeders, serve as a frontline defence against a variety of pests.
Crucially, the shift away from routine chemical use and toward careful treatment timing has helped protect these beneficial species, reducing the need for synthetic inputs and supporting vine health.
“It’s rewarding to see the vines thriving with fewer sprays and the land returning to a more balanced state,” said Mr Edwards.
Beyond the vineyard, the project has sparked community involvement and pride. The insectary now requires only minimal upkeep, a testament to the resilience of well-planned native plantings.
This initiative stands as a model for landholders across the region, when you invest in biodiversity and work with natural systems, the benefits extend well beyond the bottom line.
Learn more about planning a revegetation project on your property at landscape.sa.gov.au/hf/stewardship
