​Drs Johan van Zyl and Eduard Hoffman of the Department of Soil Science, Stellenbosch University, have written a new book for the wine and table grape industries: ”Soil preparation for sustainable wine and table grape vineyards”. The book covers knowledge gleaned from decades of scientific research and practical experience accumulated in South Africa over the past 100 years. Soil preparation, often regarded as deep tillage only, includes many other forms of soil profile modification such as ridging, drainage, terracing, reclamation of saline soils and even planting holes. Soil type predominantly determines what soil preparation practices and implements are required. The book aims to give practical information on these topics, but also to explain the background to such recommendations and to provide experimental evidence in support. Publication of the book was funded by Winetech, South African Table Grape Industry (SATI) and Villa.