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A Technical Guide for Wine Producers
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A CLEAN AND GREEN WINE INDUSTRY
Organic viticulture
The production chain of organic wines starts with the cultivation of wine grapes. As several countries do not make provision for the use of the term "organic wine", but often only refer to wine from organic grapes, it is obvious that the organic cultivation of wine grapes plays a decisive and practical role.
In 2003 California had 7 940 acres on which certified organic wine grapes were produced, according to the Californian Department of Food and Agriculture. The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) determines the standards of organic cultivation in the USA. Organic food and beverages can only be produced if most conventional pesticides, fertilisers that are produced from synthetic ingredients or sewerage sludge, bio-engineering or radiation, are not used. Organic meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products cannot be produced from animals that were fed antibiotics or growth hormones. The NOSB defines organic agriculture as "an ecological production management system that promotes and advances biodiversity, biological cycles and the biological activity of soil" (Robin, 2006).
The organic cultivation of grapes demands that viticulturists have sufficient knowledge of the interaction between the plant, the soil and the environment. Organically grown grapes are also said to contain more phyto nutrients, proteins and anti-oxidants. Sheep may also be allowed to graze in such vineyards so as to maintain the natural balance. The sheep eat the grass, multiply the microbes during the digestive process and transmit these to the soil. The production cost of organic grape cultivation is nevertheless higher and since the eventual wine consumer does not necessarily want to pay more for wines made from such grapes, this kind of viticulture is often not viable (Jones, 2008).
Producers of organic grapes must have an organic management plan to indicate how all practices on the farm are conducted in an organic manner. The practices indicated in the management plan have to be applied for a certain number of years before claims may be made on the label that the grapes are organic.
In Australia the permissible practices or products, together with their corresponding limitations, are tabulated thereby enabling a producer to draw up his production plan. For example, there are lists of permissible fertilisers, soil preparation methods and control products with prescribed limitations for pest and disease control. Hence straw may be used as a cover crop, but not for animal feed. Sewerage sludge may be used to irrigate trees, but not for food crops. Specifications for permissible products are prescribed and usually concern purity as regards the potential pesticide- or metal contamination thereof (Austin, 2008).
References
Austin, Lyn. 2008. Introduction to organic certification. Australian Viticulture, March/April 2008: 26 - 30.
Jones, Lauren. 2008. Organic producer in touch with the earth. Australian Viticulture, March /April: 31 - 32.
Robyn, Renée. 2006. Defining Organic Practices for Wine and Grapes. Wine Business Monthly, April 2006. www.winebusiness.com.
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