Gemtree Wines has it all. Visit their cellar door and you’ll find delicious wine and stunning views of McLaren Vale. But delving a little deeper on their ‘being biodynamic’ tour we discovered they’re also leading the way in sustainability and biodynamic farming.
Our guide, Tam, started the tour with some history and a white wine tasting. We sipped the light, zesty Savignon 2019 and April’s Dance, a sparkling wine named after the owner’s daughter. It’s as bubbly as her personality.
Melissa and Mike Brown own and run Gemtree. And it was Melissa who became interested in organic farming after a visit to a health retreat. She trialed this method on a small plot in the early 2000s; it worked so well that they converted the whole vineyard. Now they‘re one of the biggest organic vineyards in Australia.
‘Gemtree is committed to sustainability,’ says Tam. Recycled wood and plastic are used in the building. They also have solar panels for power and reclaimed water for irrigation.
But it’s biodynamics that’s at the heart of their vineyard, and we walked to their Biodynamic Hut where we learnt a bit about the science and philosophy of this practice. It all starts with healthy soil. This is fertilized with cow manure slopped into cow horns, then buried in the earth. Why cow horns? They contain calcium and phosphorus, which leach into the ground. This results in nutrient-rich soil that holds abundant water, perfect for growing grapes.
They farm to the lunar calendar, which informs when to plant, prune and pick the grapes. Being in tune with the rhythms of nature pays off, in the flavour of the fruit and quality of the wine. And we topped off our lesson with a tasting of their fragrant Tempranillo Rosé.
On our walk, we said hello to Buster the sheep. His job, with his other sheep friends, is to mow the grass and keep the weeds at bay. Nearby were two alpacas, Gus and Caruso. But they’re not just quirky pets. They protect the sheep from foxes by spitting, chasing and other means of intimidation. Foxes, you’ve been warned.
Returning to the cellar door, we had a structured tasting of four of their best reds. The 2019 Luna Tempranillo is sulphur free and one of their most popular reds. But my favourite was the multilayered, intense flavours of the 2017 Obsidian Shiraz.
This was followed by a platter of local produce on the deck with a glass of shiraz. From the deck, you can see all the way to the ocean. It’s one of the best views in the vale.
After the tour, we had a wander around their wetlands – a haven for native frogs and birds. We also saw their emu enclosure that has a new fluffy baby. The mother emu hissed at us, which meant ‘back away from my bub’, as the cute fluffball ran and hid safely behind her. Adorable.
Gemtree shows that by working in harmony with nature you reap the rewards with a healthier environment and better wine. It’s inspiring to see. So go experience some of their positive vibes on a ‘being biodynamic’ tour.
By Carolyn J Wild
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