We are a Certified Biodynamic Organic Hunter Valley Vineyard.

The decision for Krinklewood to farm biodynamically & make biodynamic wine at their Hunter Valley Vineyard was an easy one…

“It’s better for the environment, better for the people that live & work on the farm, it gives us a better quality wine that is ultimately better for the people to drink it !” says Rod Windrim.

Krinklewood Vineyard & Farm became Certified Biodynamic and Certified Organic in 2007. They are certified with the Biodynamic Federation of Australia (BFA) and are audited annually to maintain biodynamic organic certification.

Krinklewood offers a fantastic introductory Biodynamic workshop, It is in its 6th year now. You will learn how the biodynamic preparations contribute to the soil food web, creating fertility and balance in the soil. It is a hands on day at the vineyard led by biodynamic legends Hamish Mackay & John Priestley. In 2012 it will be on Saturday 26th May, for more information please email carla@krinklewood.com

Download Krinklewood Biodynamic Workshop Registration form

What is Biodynamics?

Biodynamics is a homeopathic medicine for agriculture, using natural means to obtain a better, more sustainable and healthier end product. At Krinklewood we make biodynamic wine using sustainable methods. The impact on the wine that you are drinking is that it is the most pure reflection of the individuality of our Hunter Valley vineyard. We would love to see more Biodynamic Wine produced in the Hunter Valley.

It was the Austrian Philosopher, Rudolf Steiner in 1924 in his series of lectures on agriculture that formalized the modern Biodynamic approach. European farmers had come to him for advice on their problems with soil fertility, the spread of animal disease & poor crop quality.

• Bio [meaning 'Life'] refers to the life in the soil, having a large number & diversity of beneficial bacteria & fungi will protect the vines from insects and disease.

• Dynamic [meaning 'energy'] refers to the energising forces. Life is achieved in the vineyard by harnessing all the forces of the sun, the moon and the constellations.

Biodynamics is a science of life-forces, Steiner believed every plant is influenced by the two major energy forces in the world – the earthly & the cosmic.

Biodynamics considers the farm in its entirety as a living system, the soil is seen as an organism in its own right, it is the most natural agricultural ‘farming’ philosophy. At Krinklewood we strictly adhere’s to this philosophy, every activity is carefully considered and timed, right through to the final stages of making our biodynamic wine.

Nothing but live things should nourish the soil, and nothing dead or scientifically fabricated should be added to it. Hence the use of synthetic fertilizers or pesticides is prohibited. Our Hunter Valley Vineyard’s soil is full of life and active biology; giving our vines the best nutrition possible.

As biodynamic farmers, we are in search of higher quality not quantity of biodynamic wine. Where as chemical agriculture has developed short-cuts to quantity by adding water soluble minerals to the soil. The plants take these up via water, thus by-passing their natural ability to seek from the soil what is needed for health, vitality and growth. The end result is a deadened soil and artificially stimulated growth.

How does it differ to Organics ?

Biodynamic IS Organic. No chemicals, herbicides or pesticides are used.

We officiallly produce Certified Biodynamic Wine (which is also Certified Organic) from our Hunter Valley Vineyard, Krinklewood.

Biodynamic differs from Organic in that….

• Biodynamic farmers use special biodynamic preparations, such as Prep 500 & 501. The natural ingredients for these preparations are ideally sourced directly from the farm on which they are going to be used – creating a self-sustainable cycle; this is a core focus of ours at Krinklewood Vineyard in the Hunter Valley.
• Biodynamic farmers apply and execute agricultural practices within the natural rhythm of the cosmos; at Krinklewood all our activities are timed in line with the lunar calendar.

The light of the sun, moon, plants and stars reaches the plants in regular rhythms & by understanding the gesture & effect of each rhythm, we can time our ground preparation, pruning & harvesting to the advantage of the vines …and ultimately the biodynamic wine we produce. The BD preparations act like a catalyst if used in the correct rhythm to improve the health of the plant or increase the life in the soil.

BD Prep 500 – horn manure prep, its for the health of the soil. Its made from cow manure from lactating cows placed into horns & buried in the soil over winter. It brings in the calcium forces & helps the soil develop huumus & structure. It also attracts earthworms & soil micro-organisms such as good bacteria & fungi.It creates deeper soil & root depth and most importantly in Australias climate it increases water holding capacity of the soil. (Prep 500 is applied to the farm in droplet form in the late afternoon of a descending moon or when the moon is in oppostion to Saturn)

BD Prep 501- horn silica prep, is more for the health of the plants themselves. Its made from ground quartz crystals placed into horns & buried in the cow horns over Summer. It aids photosynthesis, helps uptake of minerals & trace elements in the soil. And increases resistance to insect attack and fungal diseases by increasing the sugar content of the plant sap. Prep 501 can also be sprayed when fruit is ripening to increase sugar levels & maintain fruit quality.( Prep501 is sprayed in a light atmospheric mist into the air in the early morning , with a ascending moon and usually back to back with the Prep 500 )

BD Prep 502-507 – are compost preparations, these preps are used in making compost or in a liquid manure or tea such as fish emulsion, seeweed tea etc.

NB: As the moon is descending the earth breathes in, and all forces pass to the root. As the moon is ascending the earth breathes out again & forces concentrate on the growth above the ground.

What about the Weeds & Pests ??

The goal in BD is ultimately to have the healthiest possible living soil & plant , then they will naturally deter pests through their own strength or through the unified force of the entire ecosystem.

At Krinklewood in the Hunter Valley we have a diversity of grass species. When we mulch we only ever do every second row, so as to allow the bugs to live in their own little environment and not bother the vines. This also attracts natural predators which then creates a natural balance.

At certain times of the year, we use Biodynamic preparations to prevent bug attacks ie: Prep 501 is sprayed at bud Burst to strengthen against insect attack.

Weeds are useful indicators of imbalances in soil, plants & animals. BD farmers learn to understand their purposes and obtain relief through developing active, healthy soils.

What else we do at Krinklewood

We are using biodynamics to farm biology , to build numbers & diversity, we do this by making our own preparations at our Hunter Valley vineyard, utilising cow manure from our own herd.
We also make our own biodynamic compost , made up of leaves,manure,paper,water,straw…plus BD preps 502-507, this compost is mixed for hours in a special spa like tub & this tea is then sprayed onto the soil & leaves in the vineyard.
In the vineyard we have geese, guinea fowl, cattle & sheep that graze inbetween the vineyard rows during winter grazing on the weeds. We also do a lot of canopy management to ensure there is good air movement amongst the vines & fruit. And we do harvest ( pick ) and prune within the cosmic rhythms.

All these activities play a small but important role in producing Krinklewood’s certified biodynamic wine (which is also certified organic wine !)

Have we noticed any differences in our wine?

Yes, we are seeing increased varietal fruit intensity and a common vineyard character across the different grape varieties. The hard work does feel like it is  certainly paying off.  The 2007 Semillon was one of the few Semillons to be awarded a GOLD medal at the Royal Melbourne Show.  Soon after, it was awarded BEST WHITE IN SHOW at the Organic & Biodynamic Wine Show.  More recently, Huon Hooke commented that the 2006 Shiraz was “the best red yet from this Hunter Vineyard. A beauty with spices, red fruits and elegant balance, good concentration…”

For more info on Biodynamics in Australia, see:

www.redwhiteandgreen.com with celebrated wine writer Max Allen. Otherwise the Biodynamic Assocation of Australia has a very informative website http://www.biodynamics.net.au

Or find a copy of ‘Wine from the Sky’ by Nicholas Joly, which inspired Rod to make biodynamic wine in the early days at Krinklewood.