New Zealand is a small country in the South Pacific. It consists of two larger islands and has a temperate, maritime climate. It has an abundance of natural resources and a predominantly unpolluted environment.

At the heart of our environmental practice and ethical farming is the "triple bottom line" concept: (Profit People Place) which directs our business and balance sheet, human resources and the overall health of those people in the business as well as the land and farming methods.

At Loveblock, we have a deeply held belief that we are custodians of our land. We farm it and grow grapes in accordance with Organic Certification standards, Sustainable Winegrowing NZ principles and incorporate some Biodynamic practices.

The following describes farming methods used in grape growing in NZ and at Loveblock.

Sustainability is relative and can mean different things to different people in different places. NZ Winegrowers has adopted a unified Sustainable Winegrowing programme (SWNZ), a pioneering set of industry standards. Ninety five per cent of New Zealand vineyards are now SWNZ accredited.

The standard provides a framework for companies to continually work to improve all aspects of performance in terms of environmental, economic and social aspects of their businesses.

While some chemicals are used under this regime, they are limited to the minimum and applied to specific Loveblock blocks.

Loveblock's Pinot Noir vineyard in Central Otago is SWNZ accredited.

Organic practitioners seek cooperation with nature and rely on an understanding of the ecological processes. The basis of organic farming is rich, robust, fertile soil and healthy, balanced vines through proactive management of plant, microbial and insect biodiversity. Organics encourages the use of diverse plantings and insect life, but permits only naturally derived plant protection products.

Simplistically speaking, the use of synthetic chemical products (soluble fertilizer, pesticides, herbicides) is prohibited.

For instance, natural compost, cover crops and livestock are used to enhance soil health. A resident population of beneficial insects is established to control pests and weed growth is managed mechanically by undervine cultivation or mowing. On a deeper level, an organic farm demands a greater level of commitment from its farmers.

Financial commitment is often greater and returns less. Skilled people are needed to do the vineyard work to higher standards. While the demands are higher, in return the land rewards the farmer's dedication with greater quality and longevity.
Our Loveblock Farm, the anchor Estate Vineyard in Marlborough's Awatere Valley, is certified organic by BioGro New Zealand. We incorporate methods that are centuries old such as composting to promote biodiversity and build soil, but we draw from modern technology and equipment to make the vineyards more carbon efficient.

This is the highest form of organics. It uses a holistic approach to land stewardship that focuses on a healthy, balanced environment around the vineyard or farm. Unlike conventional agriculture, the farm is viewed as a whole. Each aspect of the farm is inextricably linked to all the others. Biodynamics links plants, animals and people to the wider ecosystem and beyond to the rhythms of the cosmos.

It encourages biodiversity (as for organics) and employs a "closed nutrient system" where all organic waste created on the farm is recycled back into the land.

Special preparations are used to bring the plant, animal and human environs into a balanced state of life. Biodynamics demand an intimate relationship with the land, allowing "terroir" to show its naked face to give full and true expression of the uniqueness of Loveblock.

At Loveblock, we employ Biodynamic practice including Preparation 500 & 501, BD compost, cowpat pit fertilizer, and where possible, time our operations to the Biodynamic calendar.