Rootstock

Rootstock choice is dependent on your soil type and climate as well, so talk to Harry or Kate about your requirements. All rootstock is grown on the farm and is high health, ELISA tested, monitored for mealy bugs, pests, and diseases.

All Rootstocks

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GRAD® 44-53

The GRAD® 44-53 rootstock has proven to be highly reliable, moderate in vigour, robust, and strongly drought-resistant, and cool climate adapted (i.e. earlier ripening than some of the traditional drought tolerant rootstocks).
It has a deep, branching root system that allows it to access deep soil moisture, making it ideal for organic vineyards with minimal tillage. It advances scion ripening and enhances fertility, supporting large crops in well-managed conditions.
This rootstock is highly drought-resistant and adapted to cool climates, performing well in poor, deep stony soils and dry conditions. It is also tolerant of high soil moisture deficits and recovers well from prolonged drought.

GRAD® 106-8

The GRAD® 106-8 rootstock is highly reliable, moderate in vigour, robust, and strongly drought-resistant. It is well adapted to cool climate conditions, making it suitable for New Zealand vineyards.
It is highly drought-resistant and performs well in poor, deep stony soils and dry conditions. It is also tolerant of high soil moisture deficits and recovers well from prolonged drought.

3309

The 3309 rootstock is known for imparting medium vigour to grafted vines, making it a versatile and reliable choice for various vineyard setups. It has become the most widely used rootstock in New Zealand due to its consistent performance and adaptability. However, it is important to note that 3309 is not suitable for waterlogged or poorly drained soils, as it performs best in deep, well-drained conditions.
This rootstock is often considered a go-to option for many vineyards, thanks to its ability to support healthy vine growth and early fruit ripening.

Schwarzmann

Schwarzmann rootstock is known for imparting medium vigour to grafted vines, making it a versatile option for various vineyard conditions. It features early bud-burst, which can be beneficial in regions with shorter growing seasons. However, it may be slow to establish when used as a replant, requiring careful management during the initial stages.
One of the key advantages of the Schwarzmann rootstock is its adaptability to challenging soil conditions. It can tolerate wet or saline soils better than many other rootstocks, making it a valuable choice for vineyards dealing with such issues. Despite this adaptability, it is still important to ensure proper soil management to optimize vine health and productivity.
May slightly increase crop levels .

SO4

SO4 rootstock is known for its vigorous growth, making it an excellent choice for Sauvignon Blanc in the Marlborough region. It performs particularly well in replant situations and is highly suitable for organic growing practices. Additionally, SO4 is effective in sites with high competition, ensuring robust vine development even in challenging conditions.
SO4 rootstock lacks drought tolerance. This rootstock requires consistent moisture to maintain healthy growth and productivity. In regions prone to drought or with limited water availability, SO4 may not perform well.

5C

The 5C rootstock, closely related to SO4 and often confused with it, shares many of the same beneficial characteristics. Both belong to the same family and exhibit vigorous growth, making them suitable for various vineyard conditions.
The 5C rootstock is particularly well-regarded for its compatibility with organic growing practices, offering robust performance in such environments. Its adaptability and resilience make it a reliable choice for vineyards aiming for sustainable and organic production.

GRAD® 41B

41B rootstock is highly reliable, moderate in vigour, robust, and strongly adapted to high active limestone soils. It is particularly suitable for Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon in Hawkes Bay’s limestone soils or chardonnay in the Waitaki valley, allowing extended fruit ripening without a rapid decline in acidity.
This rootstock can resist up to 40% active limestone in soils without inducing chlorosis in scions. It has an extended phenological cycle, preserving acidity and continuing ripening well into autumn. It is also a classic choice for Champagne varieties in cool-climate vineyards with chalky soils.
It performs well in rich calcareous soils and requires deep-ripped soils for optimal root establishment. It is moderately drought-resistant and thrives in heavier soils with good water retention.

GRAD® 420A

420A is highly reliable, low to moderate in vigour, robust, and exceptionally tolerant of dry soil conditions. It is particularly recommended for close-planted high-quality vineyards, especially those with Pinot varieties.
This rootstock is highly tolerant of up to 20% free lime in soil and is not limited to calcareous soils. It advances scion maturity, increases fertility, and has a long phenological cycle, allowing ripening to continue in cool autumns.
It is well-suited for high-density plantings and performs best in clay or heavy loam soils. It requires careful management during establishment but becomes highly drought-tolerant over time.
We do have limited supply so please get in touch to find out more.

GRAD® 125AA

This rootstock has a deep-plunging root system, making it suitable for dry conditions and organic vineyards. It is compatible with Bordeaux scion varieties and performs well in various soil types, including those with moderate free lime and deep clay.
It advances scion ripening, enhances fertility, and supports large crops. It is particularly well-suited for medium-spaced plantings of varieties like Sauvignon Blanc, Carmenere, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Semillon.
We do have limited supply so please get in touch to find out more.

GRAD® DRC-5

DRC5 Super rootstock, a unique V. cinerea x V. riparia hybrid, is a tough and hardy cool-climate-adapted rootstock available in New Zealand. It has exceptional drought tolerance and robustness.
This rootstock was selected over seven years of intensive trials for its ability to survive extreme drought conditions. It has a powerful root system with high lime tolerance and remarkable recovery from drought.
It is ideal for high-cropping cool climate vineyards where drought or restricted irrigation is a concern. It is highly suitable for industrial vineyards.
We do have limited supply so please get in touch to find out more.

Drought tolerant rootstocks – exclusive to Stanmore Farm

Stanmore Farm is the exclusive propagator of two drought tolerant rootstocks from Grapevine Research and Development (GRAD), in North Canterbury.

GRAD® Malegue 44-53 and GRAD® Millardet 106-8 are: