Kiwi winery trots out one-horse power tractor
17 Jun 2009
A leading New Zealand winery has taken an out-of-the-ordinary approach to increasing its biodynamic efforts with the employment of a 22-year-old horse named Stewart.
At the Seresin Estate - in the Marlborough wine-growing region - Stewart tows the sprayer that spreads a natural concoction of seaweed and manure instead of chemicals on the vines.
While replacing a tractor with a horse may seem like a backward step, Seresin Estate viticulturalist Colin Ross says the power of one horse can accomplish the same work as an 80 horsepower tractor.
"Using horses results in less compaction of the soils in the vineyard, we emit less carbon and the horses can live off our own homegrown fuels such as grass and oats. We are also providing a home for retired trotters who would otherwise be culled," Ross said.
Biodynamic philosophy
Stewart-the-horse’s efforts are part of Seresin Estate’s biodynamic philosophy, which aims to make better wine though natural processes that are good for the land.
Further efforts on the Seresin Estate include the use of over 500 tonnes of compost made on the property from vineyard and winery waste, a ‘cow pat pit’ of concentrated manure compost, and seaweed sourced from a farm in the Cook Strait that’s brewed into a nutrient-rich ‘tea’.
Seresin Estate owner and cinematographer Michael Seresin says it’s all part of an approach that moves towards traditional agriculture and greater sustainability.
"It’s how it was done before the chemical-age came along, and wine’s been around a lot longer than the chemicals have," Seresin said.
Background: Seresin Estate
Seresin Estate was one of the first Marlborough wineries to embrace organics.
The 163-hectare Seresin Estate - described as "old-fashioned - spans three different properties and includes 113 hectares of vineyard, olive groves, gardens, pasture, orchards and livestock.
Half the Seresin tractor fleet runs on biodiesel, staff use bicycles for transport around the property, and the horse-drawn sprayer has replaced work formerly done by tractors.
Owner Michael Seresin believes biodynamics is good for the land and the best way to make wine.
Seresin grapes have been progressively registered as organic since 1997. In 2007 certification was extended to wines.
Marlborough Environment Awards have twice recognised Seresin Estate’s environmental efforts: 2001 Supreme Award, and 2009 Winegrower award.
More information:
New Zealand wine industry
NZ wine industry commits to sustainability
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