In Oregon Wine Country, One Farmer’s Battle to Save the Soil

HOPEWELL, Ore. — Mimi Casteel hates the word “weeds,” particularly when referring to unexpected plants growing in her vineyard here in this hamlet in the Willamette Valley.

At Hope Well in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, Mimi
Casteel raises ducks and other animals. She also grows
grapes, vegetables and apples.

To think of weeds as invasive species, she believes, is to vastly simplify the intricate workings of nature that humans, in their efforts to assert agricultural control, have disrupted with disastrous consequences.

It’s a view that might be dismissed as romantic or sentimental. But Ms. Casteel, who has a background in forestry science, botany and systems biology, is rigorously scientific and empirical.

Read the story from The New York Times by Eric Asimov - “In Oregon Wine Country, One Farmer’s Battle to Save the Soil.”

South Australia's famed wine regions preparing for the squeeze of climate change

Wayne Farquhar bought his first Barossa Valley vineyard in the 1970s. He had a very practical reason for doing so.

Winemaker Wayne Farquhar inspects grapes in his Barossa Valley vineyard.

"I don't like drinking beer at all," Mr Farquhar said. "I grew up drinking wine and I wanted to make my own."

In his time he's seen growing conditions become more unpredictable.

It's reinforced his concern climate change may threaten some Barossa wine drinkers' favourite drops.

"We still have pockets of Chardonnay, we've got pockets of Riesling, we have Roussanne and Marsanne," Mr Farquhar said.

Read the ABC News story by Simon Royal - “South Australia's famed wine regions preparing for the squeeze of climate change.”

While politicians question the reality of climate change, farmers and businesses act

David Bruer has been growing vines and making wine at his Temple Bruer vineyard in the Mount Lofty Ranges in South Australia since 1978.

David Bruer has been growing vines and making wine at
 his Temple Bruer vineyard in the Mount Lofty Ranges in
 South Australia since 1978.

In his vineyard laboratory, weather records for every vintage for nearly 40 years are stacked in plastic folders.

They clearly show a steady increase in maximum temperatures over that time of about 1 degree. It might seem like a relatively small change but the impact has been dramatic.

Harvested fruit is turning up hotter. The sugar levels are higher and the vintage now has to be picked earlier.

Read Michael Brissenden’s story from ABC News - “While politicians question the reality of climate change, farmers and businesses act.”