My exploration of Central Otago continued with a deep dive into Felton Road, a vineyard I had previously visited. This time, I engaged with owner Nigel Greening, viticulturist Gareth King, his daughter Nicola Greening, who handles wine sales, and winemaker Blair Walter. Felton Road has long been committed to biodynamic farming and is now seeking innovative methods beyond traditional biodynamics to enhance their practices.
A significant challenge faced in organic farming is managing the vegetation that grows under the vine rows, often referred to as understory rather than weeds since diverse growth can benefit the vineyard. The arid climate of Central Otago necessitates irrigation, usually placed under the vines, making cultivation and mowing difficult.
To combat this issue, Felton Road is implementing mid-row subsurface irrigation systems, similar to techniques used by Amisfield. This approach allows the vines to receive water while keeping the understory dry, reducing the need for regular cultivation from five passes a season to just two. At McMuir vineyard, they installed irrigation on alternate rows, positioning vines just one meter away from their nearest water source, thereby optimizing root water uptake while encouraging partial root drying.
During the visit, we explored three significant vineyards: McMuir, Calvert, and the Elms. McMuir is less visually striking but yields exceptional Pinot Noir due to its clay-rich soils. Calvert, the first acquisition of Nigel Greening, is not only beautiful but also believed to sit above a gold-rich underground river.
Felton Road is also pioneering the use of drones for spraying, which is particularly effective early in the season when soil compaction is a concern. Their innovative practices extend to mulching; instead of mowing, they roll a device called a roller crimper to flatten and damage the plants, creating a mat that moderates soil temperature and retains moisture while adding organic matter back into the soil.
The discussions were enriching, leaving me inspired by their forward-thinking approaches. My recent wine reviews from Felton Road noted their impressive offerings, and I look forward to revising my notes to include new insights, especially regarding a vertical tasting of their Block 2 Chardonnay. The 2024 wines from barrel showed great promise, reflecting the vineyard’s dedication to quality and sustainability.
For more information, you can visit Felton Road’s official website.