Growing fine wine hand-in-hand with nature
In our vineyards we are developing a systematic mindset, a way of thinking, that continually challenges us to think in a connected way.
Inspired by practices associated with biodynamics, organics and regenerative agriculture, our ‘Regenics®' winegrowing techniques are primarily focused on healthy soils, a biologically diverse ecosystem and a decision-making system that includes the best of science and natural wisdom.
We know we cannot rely on chemicals and nutrients, whether natural or synthetic, to be the only tool to keep our vines healthy. And we know that biologically diverse ecosystems can provide resilience, especially when we look at the vineyard as a connected ecosystem, with the part we can’t see – the one below the ground – probably being the most important element of all.
Improving the ecosystem and vine health requires using the whole potential of the soil system. We have become adherents to inter-row cover cropping, which has greatly improved the health and sustainability of our vineyards. Cover cropping is the most powerful way to support a thriving soil microbiome – the living connector that anchors the vine into the land and promotes a healthy ecosystem.
We employ modern autonomous drones for aerial precision spraying, allowing us to more accurately treat the vines in response to pests or diseases, with significantly lower ecological impact. With a decreasing need for tractors and other heavy machinery, we are also seeing reduced soil compaction.
At our Omahu vineyard in the Gimblett Gravels this approach has been transformative. Once-depleted inert gravelly soils have become a vivid living ecosystem. With their improved moisture holding capacity, the soils have become almost sponge-like while becoming rich in micro-flora and fauna, and needing far less irrigation than before.
Our cover cropping at our Low Burn vineyard in Central Otago, has significantly increased organic matter in the soil from 3.5% to 6.0% in less than five years. The cover crop is kept healthy and alive in periods of dry weather by artificial ‘rainfall’ derived from frost-damage mitigation. The extra organic matter resulting from this system has already allowed the soil to retain a possible extra 250,000 litres of water during the growing season.
Soil moisture is better preserved using cover cropping, but irrigation is still needed from time to time. Central Otago’s semi-arid climate can bring long, dry spells during the growing season. When supplementary water is required, we use underground mid-row irrigation lines: an extremely efficient system, losing nothing to evaporation, that encourages the root system to spread away from the undervine zone and reduces the vineyard’s vulnerability to drought. The result is a more vibrant ecosystem and an improved vineyard performance where the weakest rows of previous years now yield well-balanced and flavourful grapes.
Over the last five years we have planted extensively with native flora alongside European trees to promote biodiversity and a thriving ecosystem. Kōwhai, hebes, alyssum and buckwheat are among the established plants that attract beneficial insects. Olive and cork oak trees offer natural havens for native birds, beneficial insects, bacteria and fungi. Together these biopods create a deeply connected below-ground ecosystem that links to the vineyard soil ecosystem.
We are focused on outcomes: productive vines, exceptional grape and wine quality, no undesirable residue from our interventions, a thriving vineyard ecosystem, and a place where people are happy – measured and transparently reported as we go.
All of this translates to a fully sustainable and harmonious environment where grape vines are completely integrated into the lifecycle of the landscape. By taking this approach, we have learned through experience that we can grow healthier vines and produce fruit of exceptional quality.
It's a marriage of natural wisdom, modern technology, science, data, instinct, experience and creativity, continually evolving. Making great wine, hand-in-hand with nature. We call it Regenics®, and it is a work in progress.
Guiding Principals of Regenics®
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Healthy Soils
Everything begins beneath our feet. Cover cropping and biodynamic composts and preparations support a thriving soil microbiome – the living connector that anchors the vine into the land and promotes a healthy ecosystem.
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Thriving Ecosystem
Our vineyards are part of a much larger living system. Native flora, cover crops, biopods and beneficial insects all play a role in a below-ground ecosystem that links directly into the vineyard soil.
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Science & Natural Wisdom
Regenics® is a decision-making system that includes the best of science and natural wisdom. Alongside biodynamic and organic principles, we use technologies such as autonomous drones for precision spraying – responding more accurately to pests and disease while reducing ecological impact, soil compaction and reliance on heavy machinery.
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Continuous Learning
Regenics® is a systematic mindset, a way of thinking, that continually challenges us to think in a connected way. It's a marriage of natural wisdom, modern technology, science, data, instinct, experience and creativity – continually evolving.
Regenics® in Practice
Cover Crops
Cover crops One of the most powerful tools in our vineyards is something growing between the vines. While many vignerons rely on composts, manure and herbal teas, we have become strong advocates for systematic inter-row cover cropping. From our experience, cover crops are the most powerful way to support a thriving soil microbiome – the living connector that anchors the vine into the land and promotes a healthy ecosystem. At Low Burn Estate, this approach has increased soil organic matter from 3.5% to 6.0% in less than five years, allowing the soil to retain an estimated 250,000 litres of additional water during the growing season.
Smarter Water Use
Although cover cropping significantly improves soil moisture retention, irrigation remains necessary during periods of prolonged dryness in Central Otago's semi-arid climate. When supplementary water is required, we use underground mid-row irrigation – an extremely efficient system, losing nothing to evaporation, that encourages the root system to spread away from the undervine zone and reduces the vineyard's vulnerability to drought.
Biodiversity
Healthy vineyards depend on healthy ecosystems. Over recent years we have planted extensive areas of native flora alongside European trees to encourage biodiversity throughout our estates. Kōwhai, hebes, alyssum and buckwheat attract beneficial insects, while olive and cork oak trees provide habitat for birds, fungi, bacteria and insect life. Together, these interconnected biopods extend beneath the surface, linking into the vineyard soil ecosystem and strengthening the health of the entire landscape.
A Living Landscape
All of this – the best of science alongside biodynamics and organics – translates to a fully sustainable and harmonious environment where grape vines are completely integrated into the lifecycle of the landscape. By taking this approach, we have learned through experience that we can grow healthier vines and produce fruit of exceptional quality.
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Sustainability
Learn MoreAll Pyramid Valley, Smith & Sheth and Lowburn Ferry vineyards and wineries are certified under New Zealand’s Sustainable Winegrowing Program (SWNZ), however as a group of fine wine producers, we set ourselves higher benchmarks.
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About Us
Learn MoreA collection of New Zealand’s most exceptional vineyards. Each with a unique story to tell, linked by the overarching philosophy of pleasure, culture and craft and a dream of our founders.