Managing and modelling vintage compression

Anecdotal observations and the analysis of fruit maturation records suggests that, in addition to earlier maturity, the period over which the fruit ripens is getting shorter. This is potentially caused by a convergence in maturity of early and late maturing vineyards of the same variety within a region; the convergence of maturity between different varieties within a region and the convergence in maturity of varieties grown in different regions. This vintage compression places increasing pressure on harvest and processing logistics. This investment will: * investigate the drivers of vintage compression between varieties, and within and between regions, * evaluate models to predict variation in harvest date within a region, * evaluate management options to spread the maturity for red varieties in commercial regions that use machine pruned systems, and * assess the risks associated with delaying maturity in current and future climates.