Cape Jaffa Wines :: Vineyard
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Certified biodynamic vineyards Biodynamic agriculture is a holistic approach to farming focused on creating a harmonic relationship between the produce and its surrounds. The Hoopers have enthusiastically embraced the principles of biodynamic winegrowing since Cape Jaffa’s early days. It is well documented that biodynamic vineyards produce better fruit than those cultivating using chemical means, and with this in mind the Hooper family turned Cape Jaffa’s 25-hectare practising biodynamic vineyard into a fully certified operation in 2008. Founded by Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner in the 1920s, this holistic approach to farming at Cape Jaffa means no artificial fertilisers, herbicides, pesticides or fungicides are used to manage the vines and instead involves the use of natural alternatives such as cow manure based composts, milk whey and other specific biodynamic preparations to encourage healthy soil life. Vineyard operations are also timed to coincide with specific phases of the moon to increase their effect.
A biodynamic approach in the vineyard reaps many benefits; the flavours and tannins of biodynamic grapes often ripen earlier, make for a better-balanced wine and often produce wines lower in alcohol. Overall, biodynamic wines express a closer relationship, or terroir, between the vine and vineyard it came from. While also increasing biodiversity in the vineyard and adding to Cape Jaffa’s environmentally sustainable practices, Cape Jaffa’s biodynamic method puts it one step closer to achieving absolute regionality and varietal expression.
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