Maximising Vineyard Potential in Margaret River

Client Overview

Our client operates a renowned winery estate in Margaret River, WA, known for its exceptional dining experiences, award-winning wines, and scenic vineyard views. The vineyard grows a diverse range of grape varieties, including Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Shiraz. The estate has relied on synthetic NPK fertilisers, along with organic products like fish emulsion and humates. They approached us with concerns about maintaining soil vitality, improving long-term vineyard productivity, and addressing the rising costs of fertilisers. This prompted them to seek additional solutions to enhance both their farming practices and sustainability efforts.

Challenges

• Increasing costs for fertilisers

• Decline in soil vitality due to synthetic fertilisers not improving soil structure or supporting microbial populations, depleting long-term plant health and productivity

  
  

Objectives

In response to these challenges, the client aimed to harness the indigenous microbial populations from the estate’s native forest to develop a more sustainable solution. They sought to create an enzyme-based product that could serve as the foundation for both liquid and solid fertilisers. The goal was to rejuvenate the natural microbial ecosystem, improve nutrient uptake (NPK), and enhance plant health and resilience across the estate.

Solution

We introduced a microbial cultivation process using the estate's native forest biodiversity to create a specialized microbial inoculant. This inoculant is then blended with our proprietary formula, a fermented microbial fertilizer enriched with bioavailable nutrients to enhance microbial diversity and improve soil health.

The fertiliser was formulated using nutrient-rich organic materials and fermentation agents to create an environment that supports beneficial microbial activity. To further optimise its effectiveness, we also incorporated Black Sand K (Fermentation Use), which provides bioactive compounds that support microbial populations and deliver a balanced blend of essential nutrients. Additionally, the client uses Black Sand K (General Use) as a foliar spray, which delivers nutrients to the plants and supports overall plant health. This helps stimulate microbial activity in the rhizosphere, where microbes decompose organic matter, cycle nutrients, and improve soil structure. Together, these products work synergistically to stimulate microbial activity, reduce soil compaction, and enhance root penetration and water retention.

This approach stimulated microbial activity, reduced soil compaction, and enhanced root penetration and water retention, ultimately boosting plant resilience, nutrient uptake, and soil health.

Results

Over the two-month trial (November to December 2024), the client observed significant improvements across the treated sites:

• 20% greater shoot growth and larger leaf size

• Increased fruit volume and weight, with thicker, glossier grape skins

• A 20% higher yield at harvest

• Post-harvest soil analysis showed a 50% increase in electrical conductivity (EC) and cation availability, demonstrating better nutrient retention

These improvements were visible throughout the growing season, with treated vines showing stronger overall health, better fruit development, and increased productivity.