Page 15 - Landscape SA 105

FEATURE

micro life. This in turn feeds the crop that
is being grown. Nutrient density affects
all stages of wine production - the soil,
the plants and the grapes. The plants
are more resilient and resistant to pests
and diseases, and the wines develop
character through their concentrated
flavour and natural longevity.
• pest control: one of the most effective
ways to reduce damage from pests
is to introduce or deliberately boost
natural populations of ‘beneficials’ - be
they helpful predators, parasites or
pathogens. Providing habitat and food
sources for a range of organisms within
the farm ecosystem is an important way
of working with nature to manage pests
and avoid the use of pesticides and
fungicides that poison the environment;
• cover crops: as part of Avondale’s Biodynamic preparation
holistic approach, it makes use of a
unique cover cropping system, namely
ten different mixes of cover crops to web of natural vegetation. Grieve is achieved through the use of legumes
foster a thriving community of life in says they have planted thousands and the continuous building of humus
the soil. The cover crops fall into five of indigenous trees on the farm and content into its soils;
main plant groups – cereals, brassicas, also include fynbos species in their • use of water: in the Avondale cellar,
grasses, legumes and chenopods, each cover crop mixes. Encouraging and only organic cleaning agents are used,
making a different contribution to the replanting fynbos species is well and these are biodegradable and free of
diversity of micro-life in the soil; suited to the climate and its diversity harmful residues. However wastewater
• weeds: every weed has an ideal contributes balance and robustness to from the cellar is also concentrated with
environment it likes to grow in. If a the ecosystem; grape residues which would pollute
soil is out of balance, a specific profile • nitrogen: a great challenge for farmers the environment if introduced back
of weeds will grow there as living is a plant’s need for nitrogen in order without treatment. Grieve says that after
testimony to that environmental to develop. In traditional farming this extensive research, they implemented
condition. Achieving and maintaining leads to a never-ending dependence a wastewater system of three dams
balance in the soils and in the ecosystem on commercial nitrogen fertilisers, interlinked by spiralling channels of
is a highly effective yet gentle approach essentially harsh salts that burn up the cleansing reeds, replicating a natural
to weed control. In addition, ferments of organic material and micro-life in the river system; this treats the waste water
certain weed species can supply either soil. Over time, more and more chemical without any chemical additives. One
nutrients for deficient soils or cultures to fertilising inputs become necessary to of the benefits of farming according
stop that same weed from germinating; eke production out of what is essentially to organic and biodynamic principles
• fynbos: Avondale actively restores a lifeless soil. By contrast, Avondale, is that it builds the soil’s water holding
and re-establishes indigenous fynbos through its organic farming, focusses capacity through humus creation and
species in the actual vineyards so that on creating the conditions for natural this in turn helps tremendously with the
its entire ecosystem is a well-connected nitrogen to be available in the soil. This vineyards’ capacity to be more resilient,
for example during the severe drought
in recent years;
Legumes. • humus: Grieve says they ensure that
Photo by Claire Gunn the soil is balanced and can provide
all the nutrients required for healthy
plant and micro life. This is a key factor
in biodynamic agriculture in order
to create stable humus, maintain soil
moisture, retain nutrients and overall
soil health. Avondale focuses on
creating this humus through the use
of biodynamic preparations, cover
cropping and other tools available to
establish sponge-like effects in the soil
that in turn helps it, and the crops, to
cope with climate extremes.

Avondale Wine Estate and its wines are
certified according to EU and USDA NOP
organic standards by Control Union
Certifications. LSA

Text and photos supplied by TBL
Communication Solutions

Landscape SA • Issue 105 2021 13