Organic vineyard management

A farm is complex natural system – and the only way to understand it is to spend years getting your hands dirty. Wedderwill’s vineyard management methods echo the philosophy of maintaining biodiversity. Innovations include:

• Encouraging the population of beneficial micro-organisms in the soil. They’re the smallest, but most essential, ingredient in a recipe that has evolved over millions of years. Healthy soil makes better wine!
• Understanding that organic farming is not a new idea: valuable lessons can be learned from farmers who ploughed centuries ago.
• Combining this ancient wisdom with the latest technology.
• Using natural composts and mulches, while implementing a safe spraying system.
• Fast-tracking Wedderwill’s organic certification process, which is currently ‘in conversion’.

Originating from the anthroposophy of Rudolf Steiner, biodynamics takes a holistic approach to viticulture. It’s regarded by some as the first modern ecological farming system (and one of the most sustainable), and has much in common with other organic philosophies. Biodynamics emphasises the use of manures and composts, for example, and discourages artificial chemical programmes. But the biodynamic model also considers the farm itself as a single, self-sustaining organism. An injury to one part is an injury to all!

Wedderwill’s unique methods here include the use of fermented herbal and mineral preparations as compost additives. This is a groundbreaking concept, using the farm’s own resources – beefwood, vine and cane shoots, nettles, dandelion and other plants – to create an anti-fungal mix. It’s the first real alternative to the standard Bordeaux copper and sulphur solution, and is being studied by the University of Stellenbosch.

The estate also follows an astronomical calendar, taking its planting and harvesting cues from the heavens.

To date, international research comparing biodynamics to other organic methods shows that biodynamics yields better crop results. There is also greater potential here for a truly sustainable farm.