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BIO-DYNAMIC

Turanga Creek is fully certified organic and we are now going towards a biodynamic management of the vineyard. Biodynamic winemaking is an extension to organic winemaking based on the work of Rudolf Steiner.

“Biodynamics embodies the ideal of ever-increasing ecological self-sufficiency just as with modern agro-ecology, but includes ethical-spiritual considerations. This type of viticulture views the farm as a cohesive, interconnected living system.” Wikipedia

There is a definite trend worldwide of wineries becoming organic, a process which takes two to three years.  Moving to biodynamic takes six to seven years, requiring a significant commitment (financially and otherwise) by the winery. 

While organic winemaking focuses on excluding additives, chemicals and pesticides, biodynamic winemaking goes a step further by making use of the ecosystem including animals, birds, insects and plants.  For example, fertiliser is made from composted manure from farm animals and other organic substances which reside on the property. 

Biodynamic winemaking is carried out according to the pattern of cosmic rhythms and the position of the stars.

Biodynamic compounds used include:

Horn Manure & Quartz - cow manure or finely ground quartz is put into a cow horn and buried in the ground.  In the following season it is mixed with water and sprayed on the soil.

Compounds based on compost, which the blossoms of yarrow, camomile, dandelion as well as oak bark or the juice of valerian blossoms are added in order to increase the activity of the microbes in the compost.

Find also more information about health benefits of both red and white wine.