Casa Relvas<\/a> is a winery located in the Alentejo region of southern Portugal, with which I've been working since 2001, when we planted our first 10 ha of vines near Vila do Redondo. In 2003, our winery was born and we vinified our first grapes to produce 26,000 bottles of red wine. <\/p>\n\n Today, we own around 250 ha of vineyards in 2 areas, S\u00e3o Miguel and Vidigueira, and sell around 7 million bottles of wine a year.<\/p>\n\n Of these 250 ha of vines, around 30 ha are cultivated organically and the rest sustainably (PRODI). And all are cultivated according to the recommendations of the Alentejo Wine Sustainability Program (PSVA)<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n For some years now, vines over 10 years old, and in particular certain varieties, have been suffering significant mortality due to wood diseases, despite the series of prophylactic measures we have put in place. This has had a significant economic impact, both in terms of production costs and harvest losses. <\/p>\n\n Thanks to Idai Nature<\/a> (Agrauxine's distributor in Portugal and Spain), who introduced me to the product and invited me to the launch event. A very well organized event, from which I came away convinced of the benefits ofEsquive\u00ae WP<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n I've been using it for 3 years.<\/p>\n\n Validating the efficacy of this type of treatment is not easy, and requires a very concrete methodology. We carried out several trials, placing small pieces of treated vine stems in culture media. In a large percentage of them, we verified the presence of Trichoderma - which remains a good indicator. It seems to me that the incidence of the disease has dropped considerably. <\/p>\n\n We've adapted our way of thinking, not so much our way of working.<\/p>\n\nWhat are the main problems you face with regard to wood diseases and what are the main consequences (technical, economic, wine quality) in your vineyard?<\/h2>\n\n
How did you hear about Agrauxine by Lesaffre and the Esquive\u00ae WP solution? What convinced you to try this biocontrol solution in your vineyard? <\/h2>\n\n
How long have you been using Esquive\u00ae WP in your vineyard? What results have you obtained with the application of Esquive\u00ae WP (impact on symptoms, plant mortality rate, productivity, etc.)? <\/h2>\n\n
Has the use of biocontrol solutions affected the way you work?<\/h2>\n\n