Soil health: the foundation for organic wine production success
16 DECEMBER 2024By Sophie Arundel. https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/
Soil health results at Pyramid Valley’s Mānatu vineyard surprised its owners. Could that be the secret to thriving ecosystems and better wine?
Nick Paulin, who has been a national viticulturist for Aotearoa New Zealand Fine Wine Estates since 2017, is passionate about the symbiotic relationship between soil health and wine quality.
His dedication to sustainable viticulture was underscored this winter when soil samples from Pyramid Valley’s Mānatu vineyard in Lowburn returned unprecedented results from environmental DNA tests for earthworm populations, New Zealand Winegrower reported.
Surprised by the high findings of earthworm count, Paulin contacted the lab for confirmation that there hadn’t been an error, only to learn that triplicate tests affirmed the extraordinary data. “It’s reassurance that we’re on the right track,” (in creating excellent environments for organic wine production) Paulin told New Zealand Winegrower.
Paulin, who is also deputy chair of Organic Winegrowers New Zealand and a member of New Zealand Winegrowers’ Environment Committee, emphasises that nurturing soil health is integral to crafting better wines and securing the industry’s social licence. He has previously participated in innovative trials like “Soil your Undies,” measuring soil health by the breakdown of buried cotton underwear.
“It’s our duty of care to look after the land,” he states, highlighting the role of sustainable farming in leaving vineyards healthier for future generations.
Soil health: a cornerstone of sustainable practices
In the organic wine industry, soil health remains a cornerstone of sustainable practices, linking vineyard resilience to environmental stewardship.
Chris Stroud, New Zealand Winegrowers European market manager, affirmed the importance of soil health in organic wine production. “There are six sustainability focus areas, of which soil health is one. New Zealand’s soils are the foundation of our industry, and maintaining the integrity of our soils is one of the most important areas of focus for the future of New Zealand wine. Borrowing from the land, healthy soil provides an essential ingredient to sustain our industry for generations to come, while directly contributing to the overall quality of our wine.”
Techniques such as no-till farming, cover cropping, and integrating livestock, are becoming widely adopted. These approaches not only improve soil biodiversity and structure but also contribute to carbon sequestration, addressing the urgent need for climate-conscious farming.
“Our viticulturists and growers have important relationships with the soil because of its influence on the style and character of resulting wines. They pay close attention to soil biology, structure and nutrient levels to enhance the fertility and life-supporting properties of their soils. Many New Zealand vineyards are adopting practices such as the planting of cover crops between vine rows,” Stroud explained to db.
The focus on soil health in the organic wine industry aligns with calls from leading experts for prioritising organic methods to enhance vineyard ecosystems. Prominent figures in the field have emphasised the vital role of organic soil management, urging wine producers to adopt practices that foster microbial diversity and improve soil structure.
Producers like Pyramid Valley and others embracing regenerative methods showcase a growing trend where sustainable viticulture is no longer a niche practice but a guiding philosophy for creating healthier vines and superior wines. Ten percent of New Zealand wineries now hold organic certification, a number which is only set to grow in the coming years.
Next year (June 2025) will also see the Organic and Biodynamic Wine Conference take place in Marlborough, New Zealand, a chance for all wine industry producers, from the certified organic to the curious, imparting innovation, knowledge, and networking to discuss the future of winegrowing.