The phrase 'organic vineyard' conjures up a harmonious picture of clean rows of green, trellised vines, their leaves combed by beneficial insects hunting for pests, the skies patrolled by hawks and owls hunting for rodents, field workers safe from toxic chemicals, and wines pure and delicious - and this is what we aspire to achieve. For us at Waverley Hills, organic farming is more than just a passion; it is a way of life.
We not only adhere to strict regulations by our certifying bodies, but are always looking at long term sustainability on the estate rather than quick fixes.
Furthermore, our wines, olives and olive oils are certified as organic by SGS who stipulate that no pesticides, no fungicides, no herbicides and no chemical fertilizers are to be used in the production process. Our organic wines contain 50% less sulphur than your conventional wines.
We fertilise with composts and manures, use cover crops such as vetch and legumes for soil improvement and as host plants for beneficial insects. We also allow some indigenous vegetation in proximity to the vines to grow wild. These areas provide food and a natural habitat for the indigenous fauna to flourish, adding a healthy diversity to our vineyard's eco-system.
