Wikus on Composting

Our composting program is in full swing and we will start putting it to work as we do the final preparation of the compost before application. The compost which is made from stems, skins and pips, straw, vineyard waste, prunings and manure will be applied shortly after harvest, and before leaf drop.

It is done at this time so that the vines' active root system can absorb and store nutrients for use at bud break after the dormant winter faze. The compost will raise the organic mater level in our soil as well as increase macro and micro organism activity that aids soil aeration. It also makes minerals more available for uptake by plants.

The worm in picture is commonly known as a 'miss wurm' or manure worm and was present along with earthworms and other decomposers. This part of the Dombeya vineyard program is an integral part of our philosophy towards minimal intervention viticulture. The healthier we can make our vineyards, the better the grapesgrapes we can grow, and ergo, the wines. It's a lot of extra work but certainly worth it when we observe the increases in quality that are clearly evident even at this early stage.

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