Phylloxera discovered in Martinborough has set the clock ticking for non-resistant "old vines" making up a quarter of the commercial varieties in the district. Te Kairanga winemaker Peter Caldwell confirmed yesterday that an infestation of the tiny louse was discovered in pinot noir varieties at the vineyard on Monday. He said checksthat uncovered the infestation had been sparked by the discovery of the insect about a month ago at the Matahiwi Estate winery near Masterton. The infestation is to be treated "with all due diligence", he said, that would mean the removal and replacement of affected vines with resistant plant material. Jeff Barber, Wellington Region Wine Growers Association chairman and Martinborough vineyard owner, said the insect "has probably been in Martinborough for a while" and the prolonged dry weather has stressed entire vineyards and exposed the affected plants. "It's going to spread and unfortunately it's mostly the old vines that are affected. And with the argument that a lot of good wine comes from older vines ? it's just a shame." Mr Barber said up to a quarter of the vines in the district are non-resistant, and the spread of phylloxera will "sadly have a greater impact on some of the older home blocks". Phylloxera is spread in three ways; on vine plants including cuttings, own rooted plants and potted vines; within grape products including fresh fruit or winery waste; and in soil from infested vineyards carried in on machinery, vehicles or people. The insects chew on the root systems of ungrafted grapevines, affecting the ability of the vine to absorb essential nutrients and inevitability leads to diminished fruit quality and quantity. Phylloxera is present in the winegrowing regions of Marlborough, Hawke's Bay, Gisborne, Nelson and Central Otago. Philip Gregan, New Zealand Winegrowers chief executive, earlier told the Times-Age that Wairarapa is the last wine-growing region to be hit by phylloxera, which is now entrenched throughout the country.
