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In 2003
Terry planted his vineyard of three and a half acres with
Syrah, Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc grapes using
biodynamic principles. This method of cultivation is
quite involved but put simply it includes the abandonment of
all chemical fertilizers, pesticides and fungicides and
minimal intervention in the vineyard. He completed a two
year course on Viticulture through the EIT in Hawkes Bay and
then went on to do a two year Wine Making Course also
through EIT. During this time he became increasingly
interested in the composition and health of our soil and the
important role it plays in the health of the vines.
Many
vineyards in New Zealand have recognized the damage that
modern methods of viticulture have caused and are now
committed to reducing the amount of agrichemicals they use.
A few award winning wineries have totally abandoned their
use – Millton Vineyard in Gisborne is biodynamic and owner
James Millton is considered an expert in this area. His
wines require little adjustment by the winemaker because of
the natural harmony in their 22 hectares of vineyards at
Manutuke. On the edge of Lake Wanaka, Rippon Vineyard is
run on strict organic and biodynamic principles with superb
results. Felton Road in Central Otago is also managed
according to organic and biodynamic principles and has
achieved excellent wine ratings. Respect for their soils
and their health has once again become primary and wine
quality has improved and even exceeded what came before.
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Our Hand-picked grapes are grown on a warm,
north-facing slope overlooking the Sandspit
estuary. Our driving force is to create premium
wines by developing vital living soil and
healthy vines. Using natural methods and
biodynamic principles we enhance the life
quality of our land and, in doing so, grow
grapes of exceptional flavour and colour.
Healthy soil is inhabited by life and can contain
up to a billion living organisms per gram. This
swarming life of infinitely small beings is not
mixed at random, but, on the contrary, admirably
organised in a chain of life where each link
allows another to exist. Agrichemicals can
destroy this delicate balance.
The use of the first herbicides
eighty years ago marked not only the beginning
of an impoverishment of the soil,
but also the first step toward increased
dependence on the agrichemical industry. The
natural growth of the soil has been replaced by
chemical fertilizers. These salt fertilizers
have completed the work of destruction started
by herbicides. Under these conditions the vines
gorge themselves with water to compensate for
the salt.
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Daughter
Brenda planting
one of the first vines |
Terry’s challenge is to return the soil to its original life giving
state using only natural resources. For this reason he has
chosen to cultivate his vineyard using biodynamic
principles. The millions of micro-organisms from which good
soil is composed, require the soil to be of top quality in
order to enable them to thrive and reproduce. Using only
natural resources such as worm farms, compost, nettle tea,
preparation 500 and a number of other natural remedies Terry
hopes to achieve vital healthy soil. He is totally
committed to making the best wine – “the wine of tomorrow” -
a wine that will truly reflect the area it was grown in,
uncontaminated and allowed to express its unique
originality.
It is ongoing, time consuming and labour intensive work but it is a
fascinating, rewarding and exciting venture and gives Terry
much pleasure. If you see him around, he will be only too
happy to answer your questions.
Our first harvest was in April 2006. We produce a Bordeaux
red and a Syrah blend under the label Saltings Estate for
our premium wines and Sandspit Cove for the lighter wine
styles. |
