Article Index
Grancari Estate Wines
Background
Getting into viticulture
Getting into organics
Getting into winemaking
Getting into the market for organic wine
In the vineyard
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In the vineyard

The vineyard management system is based on cultivation after harvest, and green manures, mainly faba beans and triticale, alternated from year to year. Rino is very happy with this method, and the BFA certified Neutrog fertiliser. Weeds under the vine are managed with a dodger plough, which is used carefully and infrequently and is followed up with some hand control. Rino says, “The place looks a little untidy, but I am comfortable with that, and happy to minimise cultivations.”

“That’s what the organic system is about. We take a little, and give a little back, especially to the soil. It just takes a little effort to get results, and the juice gets better. We have learnt just how good our fruit is from our winemaking process.”

Greta says, “I think there are three factors to our fruit quality. One is the land, including the soil and climate. Another is the organic methods, and the other is the water we use, which is treated with a Hydrosmart conditioner, which alters the molecules in the bore water and helps prevent calcium deposits from forming.”

“Organic growing and winemaking methods definitely work for us. Without our organic label we would not be selling wine with our own label"