Whistling Kite Wines

by Pam

Friday, 26 March 2010

Along with 919 wines, we recently made it into the Murray Pioneer’s Countryside section.  A copy of the article appears below, and you can read the original article in pdf format here. (Requires Adobe Reader which you can download here. )

Organic and biodynamic grape growers in the Riverland now have a specialist certified winemaker to assist them to market.

Berri-based winery 919 Wines has just gained certification as an organic wine processor, providing a specialist small-batch winemaking service for certified organic and biodynamic wine.

“We are very pleased to have the winery certified as an organic processor,” said winemaker and 919 Wines owner Eric Semmler.

“Our experience has shown us that organic and biodynamic wines can be of exceptional quality, and this has been borne out by the results from our vineyard.

“Certification of he winery has been a worthwhile step for us, as it has given us formal recognition for our processes and has guided us in looking critically at all our activities.”

However, certification for the local winery is still “a little way off”, according to Mr Semmler.

“Our vineyard has always been managed using organic principles,” he said.

“Last year we started using biodynamic practices to help balance the soil, water and vine nutrition requirements.

“Vineyard certification takes two to three years, as we need to demonstrate sustained implementation of these systems.

“Once the conversion period is over, we will be able to carry the biodynamic logo on our wines.”

Whistling Kite Vineyards, a newly established producer in New Residence which is run by local couple Tony and Pam Barich, has been growing certified biodynamic grapes for many years.

This year the couple have decided to produce their own label and will be releasing a certifies range of wines later in the year.

“We have a deep-seated conviction that organic and biodynamic methods are a responsible way of being good custodians for the earth,” Mrs Barich said.

“Healthy earth produces healthy plants, and healthy plants are less likely to attract pests and diseases.

“Our biodynamic wines will be an expression of our vineyard, as our vines are encouraged to take what they require from the soil, to express the characters of the region, rather than be forced to take up introduced products.

“We consider ourselves very fortunate to have found a local couple in Jenny and Eric Semmler, who share our passion for both biodynamic and organic viticulture, and who have the skills to produce excellent wines.

“Together we aim to produce biodynamic wines that will reflect the potential of the Riverland as a premium wine growing region.”

Biological Farmers of Australia has stated that the organic and biodynamic segment of the global wine market is growing, despite a global surplus.