Aim: to apply BD principles to improve vineyard health and reduce reliance on chemicals.

Since September 2007 we have been applying combined soil preparation and horn silica monthly on our own vineyards.

The mixtures are stirred in rainwater with a flowform for an hour prior to being sprayed. The combined soil preparation is put out in the afternoon/evening followed by the horn silica the next morning, with application timed according to the astro calendar.

Valerian has been used as an atmospheric spray to prevent frost damage in the lower lying areas of our Kangarilla vineyard. This is coupled with foliar seaweed sprays to help improve overall vine health.

Herbicides are being used only where necessary, in young blocks and to control broad leaf weeds. Hoeing, spot spraying and whipper snipping have replaced ‘blanket undervine spraying’. Volunteer weeds have been encouraged in both the mid-row and undervine area to smother out problem weeds such as wire weed and marshmallow. Where competition for water is not a problem, these weeds are left to die off naturally over summer, providing valurable cover for the soil.

Our fungicide spray program has been revised to include sprays which have minimal impact on beneficial insects which help the vineyard to maintain a natural balance and prevent pest and disease outbreaks.

All marc and mulched bunch stems from the winery are composted with either turkey manure or the nutrient rich ‘sludge’ which is pumped from the dam after vintage. The resulting heap of mulch is turned regularly then spread back on the vineyard once adequately composted.

At this stage we are not pursuing biodynamic certification. We are aiming for a sustainable production system.