Turning over a New Leaf

Lorenzo and Guido Cossignani farm tobacco, blueberries and wine grapes on two properties in the Myrtleford District. The farm in Merriang South has been in the Cossignani family since 1964 when their father farmed tobacco. Lorenzo believes farmers care for the soil because it is their lifeblood and likes the challenge involved in farming. Although the brothers have diversified, tobacco is still a productive crop which is rotated every two years with a cover crop to improve the structure of the soil.

Twelve years ago, the Cossignani brothers decided to diversify from tobacco to increase their income potential. They bought a twenty two acre property in Gapsted with a crop of blueberries. Later, when the tobacco industry was deregulated in 1993, their desire to diversify increased. They still farm four varieties of blueberries on two acres that they sell at the wholesale market in Footscray, but they now have a vineyard as well.

The Cossignanis and other tobacco growers in the Alpine Valley decided that their cool climate was suitable for wine grapes and developed a pilot vignerons’ course for farmers through the Council of Adult Education in Wangaratta. The course was developed on best practice viticulture guidelines and the Alpine Valley Wine Grape Growers Association is recognised for its high standards in management and production practices. Lorenzo is now chairperson of the association and members supply grapes to both local and statewide wineries.

Lorenzo and Guido currently harvest ten acres of Chardonnay and recently planted five acres of Merlot, both varieties at Gapsted. Integrated pest management and soil moisture management are major parts of maintaining a healthy vineyard. Delta pest traps help them monitor numbers of light brown apple moth and reduce the need to use chemical sprays. They also control the amount of water used on the vines by using gypsum blocks to monitor moisture levels in the soil.

Lorenzo’s mechanical and engineering skills help their farming practices greatly. He has made numerous modifications to farm equipment to make it suitable for tobacco, blueberries and viticulture.

Next Case Study

Guido Cossignani testing soil moisture in the vinyard

Lorenzo (left) and Guido Cossignani with their blueberry crop in Gapstead

Lorenzo (left) and Guido Cossignani with their new merlot vines

Lorrenzo Cossignani irrigating his tobacco crop in Myrtleford

Lorenzo Cossignani: engineering skills help him adapt machinery on the farm