South African vineyards turn to ducks to produce ‘green’ wines
By Wine Atlas, Tuesday 3 October 2006 :: Wine - South-Africa :: #119 :: rss
CAPE TOWN - Ducks, wasps and beetles are pioneer viticulturalist Johnathan Grieve’s insect killers of choice in his goal of creating one of South Africa’s first entirely organic wine farms. A flock of about 40 ducks patrol Avondale, Grieve’s farm in the Paarl area of the fertile Cape winelands, daily picking snails off the precious vines.
Predatory wasps and beetles are released to take care of another pest -- mealy bugs.
‘I find that making use of these natural predators works much more effectively, and is a lot cheaper,’ said Grieve, who no longer uses any chemical insecticides.
He has also cut back on fertilisers by planting legumes and cereals as ‘cover crops’ among the vines to provide natural compost and bind nitrogen from the air into the soil. The plants also suppress weeds and keep the soil moist.
Grieve hopes to phase out chemical fertilisers in two years’ time.
‘It just make sense,’ he told AFP. ‘Most other people spray their lands dead. Some may describe my farm as messy, but I am very proud of the growth in my vineyards.’
He has termed the method ‘bio-logic’. It seeks to restore the natural balance in the soil and produce unique, balanced wines.
‘At the end of the day it is about costs. This method is more sustainable in the long run, and I also believe it will result in the production of exceptional wines specific to this area.’
A quarter of the 100 hectares (247 acres) under cultivation in Avondale is already completely organic and produced its first vintage last year.
Grieve plans to turn his entire enterprise completely ‘green’ by 2010.
Continue reading: khaleejtimes.com
