Australian organic and biodynamic wine

Tipped as one of the fastest growing trends in Australian wine, demand for Australian organic and biodynamic wine continued to increase in 2009/10 despite the Australian wine industry facing one of the largest surpluses in history. As wine industry bodies declare the current crisis the worst in two decades, many organic and biodynamic wine producers have reported record sales in the past year and have received international acclaim from the world’s top wine critics and wine shows.

Hart of the Barossa, the oldest certified organic vineyard in the Barossa Valley, was awarded a highly coveted gold medal at the prestigious International Organic Wine Award in Germany last month, placing the Barossa Valley and Australian organic winemaking in the global spotlight. Vintners Michael and Alisa Hart, custodians of the winery, received the esteemed honour for their 2008 Limited Release Certified Organic Shiraz in a field of over 411 of the world’s top organic wine makers (picture). “We are passionate about our organic point of difference and so are our growing number of customers worldwide,” says Alisa Hart. “The recognition of our wine at international level confirms our commitment to producing premium wine, using sustainable farming practices. Our aim is to produce the best nature can offer using old-fashioned farming principles blended with modern winemaking techniques.”

Rod Windrim, vigneron and owner of Krinklewood Biodynamic Wines in the Hunter Valley says that despite raising their bottle prices in 2009 sales have continued to grow, with record sales recorded in November and December. Vanya Cullen of Australian Certified Biodynamic Margaret River winery - Cullen Wines - was recently named 'Winemaker of the Year' by the Penguin Good Australian Wine Guide and was listed as one of 2009’s 50 most influential people in wine by Wine Business Magazine.

BFA