Sustainability Initiatives

In addition to our premium Ridge Block and Clayvin vineyards being certified organic through BioGro New Zealand, we’re committed to organics philosophy and culture throughout our viticulture programme with all of our fruit being sustainably grown.

Marcel Giesen explains, “organics is about improving our soil structure and helping the soil to hold onto water and nutrients. If the land is continually replenished, the soil will be healthy; so will the plants and the fruit.”

Here are some of the initiatives we’re taking in support of our organics philosophy:

• Composting organic waste
• Using effective microbials – mixed cultures of beneficial naturally-occurring organisms that help to build diversity in the soil ecosystem
• Planting complex inter-row cover crops which helps with aerating content and belding the soil
• Reducing the use of pesticides, weed sprays, systematic fertilisers
• Encouraging a self-feeding system which replenishes soil, nutrition and flora within the vineyard
• Growing native plants around the vineyards, maintaining beehives, and planting orchards across the Giesen properties to encourage biodiversity