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 | |  | Sedlescombe Organic Vineyard goes Biodynamic!
Following 30 years of organic production of English wines under Soil Association organic standards here at Sedlescombe, the process of converting to Demeter accreditation under standards set by the Biodynamic Association was started in Spring 2010.
As we were already operating according to EU 2092/91 regulation, a conversion period is unnecessary and our wine produced from 2010 grapes will be Bio-dynamic certified. This wine will be released in Spring 2011. |
|  | On becoming Bio-dynamic, Sedlescombe Organic Vineyard will apply to join the prestigious world-wide groupings of Bio-dynamic Vineyards as a member of "Return to Terroir". This group, founded by Nicolas Joly, seeks to re-assert the individuality and difference of wines produced in different regions and in different localities and to set itself apart from the faceless blandness and conformity of the products of international wine conglomerates. Roy & Irma Cook, in association with vineyard manager Inga Keck (see below photo) are now applying the principles of Biodynamic agriculture as laid down by Rudolf Steiner in 1924, on all 22 acres of their organic vineyards.
One of the main differences between organic and bio-dynamic lies in the application of specially composted manures and silica extracts designed to promote microbiological activity in the soil to improve fertility and to enhance light uptake and photosynthesis through the plants leaves. | | 
Cook family and team at Sedlescombe
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| | One of the most widely publicised Biodynamic Vineyards was the Monty Waldin vineyard in France . Serialized in a recent Channel 4 documentary. Further information regarding the specially composted manures and silica extracts can be found on Monty's website.
To further develop the Biodynamic principles and practices at Sedlescombe we will be working closely with consultants from the Biodynamic Association and learning from the experiences of other Demeter certified Vineyards & wineries on the Continent with whom we are developing links and contacts, (e.g. Weingut Peter Jakob Kühn - Rheingau, Germany ; Weingut Sander - Mettenheim, Germany) |
| |  | | Later this month (July 2010) we will be spraying a silica-quartz extract, the first of two sprayings of this material, which is designed to enhance the uptake of light energy by the vines.
In the Spring a composted cow manure mixture was sprayed to promote micro-biological activity in the soil. This spraying was carried out as close as possible to the Spring Equinox (21st march) as prescribed by the Biodynamic standards. |
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| Inga Keck energising the biodynamic cow manure preparation | | |
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Sedlescombe Organic Vineyard, Robertsbridge, East Sussex, TN32 5SA, Tel: 01580 830715 |
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