Clos Henri’s quest for wine quality led them to biodynamics. By Fabiano Frangi
We first talked about the possibility of going organic in September 2009, shortly after I had joined Clos Henri.
It was my first time being employed as a vineyard manager. I remember Lionel Bourgeois, our owner and viticulturist, telling me that if we couldn’t succeed growing organically in Marlborough’s climatic conditions, we didn’t deserve
to be winegrowers.
Biodynamics and intention on the Seresin wine-farm. By Daniel Honan
“There’s something we don’t talk about, which I think is the most intriguing thing about wine,” says Colin Ross, Estate Manager at Seresin in Marlborough. “We ignore the alcohol, the 12.5%, which is a spirit, and not all alcohol has the same effect, so, as potential drug growers it’s something we should all be conscious of.”
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“Seek the truly practical material world. But seek it so that it does not numb you to the spirit, which is active in it.” – Rudolf Steiner
I live near Gisborne on the East Coast of the North Island, close to the sea and therefore subject to a maritime influence of the morning mists and afternoon sea breezes. Our soils are young. We don’t irrigate. The air is enveloping, and the sun? Well, in terms of time, they say that it’s the first place on Earth to see this event each day, and it pleases us. People have trodden this piece of earth for a very long time. The family of my wife and business partner Annie have tilled this dirt for many generations. We live in a mild and pleasant climate.
Read moreAngus Thomson of Urlar Wines tells how he finally made the leap from organic to biodynamic growing.
My journey to organics had a seed sown about 20 years ago.
My wife and I were farming the family farm in Scotland. We had a friend who owned an organic brewery, and he asked if we would consider growing organic barley for him.
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My biodynamic journey began in 1999 while studying organic growing with Holger Kahl at Seven Oaks in Christchurch. We were fortunate to have Ian Henderson teach our class the basics of animal husbandry at Milmore Downs, and I had the opportunity to plough paddocks and dig soil pits at Terrace Farms with Geoff and Ira Wilson. We also picked chamomile flowers at Hohepa Farm in Halswell with Marinus La Rooij.
All three of these occasions in my two years of learning ignited a very strong desire to create a life working and learning with this approach called biodynamics.
Read moreJames Millton, the original biodynamic winegrower in the Southern Hemisphere, reflects on a career of learning to dance with Mother Nature.
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João Corbett of Seresin Estate was interviewed for the 2021 Spring issue of Harvests Magazine, in the interview he talks through the benefits of Demeter Certification from his perspective as an agricultural engineer and his experience working on a vineyard. For access to the full article and other perks, become a Member of Biodynamics New Zealand.
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The inaugural Organic and Biodynamic Winegrowing Conference was held in Blenheim over 8-10 July and by all accounts was a huge success. Su Hoskin shares her impressions.