Organic/Biodynamic
Stephen and Prue Henschke, fifth-generation winemaking family, are working toward sustainability in their vineyards using organic and biodynamic principles. By working with the local natural environment and nature’s cycles, they are finding more natural alternatives to the energy-intensive fertilisers and pesticides to protect and enrich the land. Since 1990, the decade of Landcare, Prue has used the benefits of mulching and compost to preserve soil moisture and in building the health of soils.
Balance has also been restored to Henschke land with the replanting of original grasslands, woodlands and forests to 30% of the family’s total landholdings. In the vineyards, Prue’s work includes an inspiring ‘nursery program’ on Mount Edelstone and Hill of Grace commenced in 1986 to identify the best of the centenarian vines, with descendants planted to preserve this precious genetic heritage.
In 2009, the vineyards achieved organic precertification status, incorporating biodynamic principles. The Henschkes have always been passionate about their roles in protecting the land, the environment and the future for the next generation - particularly their children, Johann, Justine and Andreas who will be the next custodians of Henschke vineyards.
The grapevine is an extraordinary plant. The winegrape cultivars we recognise today reflect a wide range of climate adaptability - grenache loves the heat and pinot noir produces its exotic flavours in a cooler temperate climate. To produce the vivid varietal flavours, the vines need healthy soils to survive by buffering them against the extremes of summer.
Along with the minerals and water making up the physical part of the soil, organic matter and soil microbial activity are major players in the health of the soil and both are at risk from excessive cultivation and high levels of fertiliser. The inclusion of biodynamic principles in our vineyard management gives a twofold benefit - replacement of inorganic fertilisers with compost and the end of using herbicides. It incorporates the cyclic nature of our farm - from the manure of the cows and the eggshells from the chooks, to the recycling of our grape marc to produce compost, which in turn produces great wine.
The influence of the moon cycles has always been a familiar feature - Hill of Grace is always picked just before the full moon of Easter and Mount Edelstone a week or so after. Throw in nectar providing local native plants to help with pest and disease control and we have a garden of earthly delights - a food chain that replaces pest control. We have taken this one step further with our involvement in Dr Harpinder Sandhu’s Ecosystem Services project with the CSIRO, using local native plants to provide nectar for beneficial insects.
Our organics/biodynamics brochure takes you through the steps of making the biodynamic preparations, putting them out in the vineyard at the best times of the season, usually when the humidity builds up on a descending moon roughly on a monthly basis. Application of compost is on a three-yearly cycle and the covering of Triticale wheat straw mulch holds in the soil moisture and helps soil microbes, worms and fungi work the compost into the soil.
We see the nourishing of our land as a tool to connect between healthy soils and healthy people. We want to tread as lightly as possible on our land, land that is our home, our peace, our nourishment, pleasure and future.
Prue Henschke