Black Estate is Demeter certified

Congratulations to Black Estate and the whole team for attaining the Demeter certification https://demeter.net/certification/standard/. This is no easy task and is a testament to their dedication to producing high quality wines using farming philosophies that respect the land and vine.

“We're delighted to share that our three little farms are now certified with Demeter, and the signs have arrived!”

We’ve been enjoying the benefits of biodynamic farming since the beginning of our wine life and three years ago we decided to take the steps to certify with Demeter. Certification verifies that our wines are grown following Demeter standards and connects us to a wonderful community, sharing knowledge and experience.

Pictured above is Justine and Nicholas stirring cow horn prep BD500 a few weeks ago at Netherwood.  It had finally rained after an extremely dry autumn and early winter. The week was mild so we sprayed this dynamised cow horn prep in droplets over each farm to ignite the microbial life in the soils.

Early on we were intrigued by biodynamic farming simply because every time we tasted a wine that “woke us up” – with real flavour, texture and energy we would discover that the wine was made using biodynamically grown fruit.   So when we started at Home vineyard back in 2007, with the help and wisdom of some wonderful mentors in North Canterbury, we started to practice biodynamics, beginning a process that has encouraged us to observe and work with intention, thinking about the entire ecosystem of each farm and the place they have in the cosmos. The process has been fun, so interesting and rewarding.  

Biodynamic practices promote the health and natural balance of the soils and ecosystems and enhance the link between plant growth and the rhythms of the cosmos.  We wish to regenerate diversity and natural rhythms on our farms to create balance and harmony on the land we are so lucky yo look after.  As a result, we also have healthier vines and quality fruit at harvest, to eventually be enjoyed in the glass!  

With no systemic chemicals used on our farms, where we can, we aim to reincorporate waste materials from the winemaking process or other activities on the land into compost, that we can return to our properties.  This helps us focus on recycling nutrients through our processes.    Biodynamics also encompasses much of regenerative agriculture which we have also been enjoying and affirms the importance of animals as a part of each farm.

Thank you to our vineyard team and all those who have stirred over the years.   Also thanks to our friends at the Canterbury BD Association including guidance from Marinus La Rooij, Ian Henderson at Millmore Downs and our vege supplier Michael Vourmard at Little Owl Farm.   And a big high five to our energetic and generous biodynamic wine friends.