In this installment of the Regenerative Viticulture Series, Abby Rose is joined by Robin Snowdon, a biodynamic practitioner and viticulturist based in the South-West of England. Abby and Robin discuss biodynamic viticulture, trellising systems, complexity & diversity, herbal treatments, and profitability.

Robin and his partner Georgina planted Limeburn Hill vineyard in 2014. The vineyard is certified biodynamic and has a total of 3000 vines, with 8 different varieties, and around half of the site unplanted as a natural habitat area. Over time, Robin has learned how to tune into the specific needs of his land, vines and soil and how they work together in an interdependent ecosystem.

The vineyard consists of two fields, each with a different trellising system. The first field has a high Geneva Double Curtain (GDC) system and Robin has found that different vine varieties and sections of the vineyard have responded differently to it. For instance, the Orion grapes have taken to it very well; one side of the vine grows over the top and the other side of the vine grows under due to the Westerly wind, to form a sort of ‘comb over’. This is compared to another variety close by, which grows upwards regardless but develops shorter internodal distances due to wind exposure. These observations inspired Robin to set up a new kind of trellising system in the second field, which allows the vines to grow within the same frame, but with multiple wires which the shoots can cling onto. Robin has found that this structure allows for the diversity between different vine varieties. 

This trellising system aims to mimic how vines would grow in the wild; if the vines are moving up the trellis in the same way as they would be growing on a tree, then the vines are likely to be happy. To deepen his understanding of vine behaviour, Robin is experimenting with growing vines up willow, oak and hazel trees. So far, he has found that vines want to be allowed to ‘dance’ in the wind; given space and not planted together.

Robin and Georgina believe in fostering a rich ecosystem; the more diversity on the vineyard, the more resilient and healthy both the vines and viticulturalist will be. Similarly, the more diversity in the vineyard, the more diversity in the flavour profile of the grapes, and likelihood of a good crop.

Robin sees opportunity for potential herbal treatments in each different species of vegetation growing on the vineyard. Annually, the Limeburn team use a pruning paste treatment made of bay, rosemary, cow manure, horse tail and clay. They also use herbal sprays of nettle, willow, horse tail and dandelion, and make essential oils with bay, rosemary, lavender, and thyme. They have found that the different varieties of plants growing around the vineyard actually correspond to the supplementary needs of the vines. For instance, nettles, which are high in nitrogen and growing vigorously in springtime, can be used to treat low nitrogen levels in the vines at the same time of year. They’ve also found that dandelion flowers, which are high in potassium, grow particularly well at the same time of the year that the vines need more potassium. Robin also prepares his treatments in different ways to provide the vines with different benefits. His herbal teas are boiled, fermented, left to sit, or some are applied fresh; each of these techniques will produce a different nutritional composition which can benefit the vines in different ways.

Limeburn Hill has found a unique selling point through their biodynamic approach to producing wines. The flavour of their wine is complex, embodying a sense of place and where the wine was grown. Robin shares how their version of marketing revolves around sharing how their wines are made; it’s important that customers understand and appreciate the effort that has gone into nurturing the vines, and that the wine is priced to reflect this. 

Thank you to Robin Snowdon for joining us for the Regenerative Viticulture Series. If you’d like to follow his journey, you can find him at @limeburnhill on Instagram. 

If you’re interested in learning more about Sectormentor, please email us at info@vidacycle.com.