Paxton Wines

David Paxton believes that those who apply the art and science of viticulture are just as important as the winemaker. For three decades the Paxtons have nurtured their prized McLaren Vale vineyards, some of which are over a hundred years old. It's this level of care and passion that has produced extraordinary fruit and wines.

A lot of Paxton's viticulture regime relies on Biodynamic farming, which general manager Toby Bekkers outlines for us below;

"The foundation of biodynamic farming is soil health. This does not simply mean the adjustment of nutrient levels. Our farming program aims to maintain a balanced and diverse population of soil biology.

Compost applications initiate conditions favourable to soil micro-organisms which are active in making nutrients available to plants in a natural form. Vegetation and composts are broken down to form humus which improves soil structure and better holds water and nutrients.

Irrigation inputs are thus reduced.

Synthetic fertilisers and pesticides which damage the soil biology are not used which allows the natural system to operate without interruption. Straw mulching or careful machine weedingcontrols weeds.

Increased soil activity has a flow on effect. The earthworm population increases rapidly and greater volumes of soil are aerated and made available for exploration by plant roots.

The farm is seen as a whole organism rather than a series of problems to be solved individually. It is the intention that Paxton vineyards mimic the characteristics of a natural system. In this endeavour we seek to promote diversity and allow natural balance to counter the effects of pests or disease.

New vineyards are propagated from our old, existing vines rather than using identical clonal material. This maintains the subtle differences between each vine and produces wines of greater individuality.

Between the vine rows we promote a variety of plant life, each providing different habitat and nutrient profiles. The incorporation of beehives improves grape pollination and seed production of the middle row plants.

The main biodynamic composts are produced primarily from cow manure. Manure tainted with chemical intestinal worm treatments makes poor compost and therefore, to ensure the integrity of our compost, we maintain our own small herd of non-drenched cattle for this purpose.

The necessity to focus on the smallest details is rewarded by great benefits. We now spend far more time digging amongst the weeds. Observing what is happening bellow the ground gets as much attention as what happens above.

The ultimate result, we hope, is a range of wines that highlight the individuality of the vineyard, vintage and the actions of the people who are the temporary custodian of the land."

www.paxtonvineyards.com

Back to wineries