A Beginner’s Guide to Sustainable Winemaking

Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword in the wine industry—it’s shaping the future of viticulture, with organic and biodynamic wines leading the charge. But what sets these two categories apart? While both embrace a chemical-free, environmentally conscious approach, biodynamic wines take it a step further, integrating cosmic rhythms and holistic farming into vineyard management.

According to our sommelier, Kurt Heppell, "Australia has been onboard with both Organic and Biodynamic vineyard practices, thanks to the visionary winemakers and brands leading the charge—protecting the wellbeing and preservation of this land, and globally, our planet".

With Australia playing a major role in the movement, let’s explore the philosophy behind organic and biodynamic winemaking, and some standout producers leading the way.

Organic wines are made from grapes grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or chemical fertilizers. Instead, vineyards rely on natural composting, crop rotation, and biodiversity to maintain soil health and protect vines.

To be certified organic, wineries must meet strict regulatory standards—such as those set by Australian Certified Organic (ACO)—ensuring that both vineyard practices and winemaking processes align with organic principles. In addition to organic grape growing, winemaking itself limits synthetic additives and sulfites, focusing on minimal intervention to let the grape’s natural character shine through.

Novum Wines (New Zealand)

Founded by industry veterans, Novum Wines is dedicated to showcasing Marlborough’s finest vineyard sites with a focus on minimal intervention and organic farming. Their handcrafted Pinot Noir stands out for its purity, elegance, and depth—an expression of carefully nurtured vines and a commitment to sustainable viticulture.

Te Mata Estate (Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand)

A pioneer in sustainable winemaking, Te Mata Estate follows organic farming principles to create some of New Zealand’s most respected wines. Their Estate Vineyards Syrah is a standout, with plush dark fruit, peppery spice, and seamless structure—a perfect representation of what careful, chemical-free farming can achieve.

Biodynamic winemaking goes beyond organic farming by incorporating holistic and spiritual principles to create a self-sustaining vineyard ecosystem. This philosophy, developed by Rudolf Steiner in the 1920s, treats the vineyard as a living organism, where everything from soil fertility to vine health is nurtured through natural preparations and the influence of lunar cycles.

Key aspects of biodynamic winemaking include:

• Biodynamic Preparations – Herbal and mineral-based sprays (such as chamomile, silica, and composted manure) enhance soil vitality.
• Lunar & Cosmic Cycles – Vineyard work, including planting, pruning, and harvesting, follows the moon phases to optimise vine energy.
• Minimal Intervention in Winemaking – Similar to organic wines, biodynamic wines limit sulfites and additives, focusing on natural fermentation to preserve terroir.

Biodynamic wines are certified by Demeter, the leading international body ensuring strict adherence to these regenerative practices.

Yangarra (McLaren Vale, Australia)

One of Australia’s leading biodynamic producers, Yangarra creates expressive, terroir-driven wines with no synthetic inputs. Their High Sands Grenache is a benchmark example, delivering layers of red berries, savoury spice, and fine-grained tannins, all shaped by a hands-off approach.

Kalleske (Barossa Valley, Australia)

Kalleske is a fully certified biodynamic winery in the Barossa Valley, with a reputation for powerful yet beautifully balanced wines. Their Greenock Shiraz is a standout, combining intense dark fruit, earthy complexity, and a seamless finish—a true reflection of biodynamic precision.

Grosset (Clare Valley, Australia)

Renowned for crafting some of Australia’s finest Rieslings, Grosset has embraced biodynamic viticulture to enhance vineyard vitality and wine purity. Their Polish Hill Riesling is a perfect example, with striking citrus, minerality, and age-worthy structure that embodies the power of biodynamic farming.

Cullen Wines (Margaret River, Australia)

A trailblazer in biodynamic winemaking, Cullen Wines takes a holistic approach, ensuring their wines reflect the land, energy, and care behind every bottle. The Diana Madeline Cabernet Sauvignon is an icon, showcasing elegant dark fruit, fine tannins, and exceptional ageing potential—a biodynamic masterpiece.

Beyond sustainability, choosing organic and biodynamic wines means supporting winemakers who are committed to preserving the land, enhancing biodiversity, and reducing chemical inputs in viticulture. Whether you gravitate towards the purity of organic wines or the holistic philosophy of biodynamic wines, these practices result in wines that are not only better for the planet but often more expressive and complex in the glass.

With Australian wineries leading the charge in both movements, now is the perfect time to explore the incredible range of organic and biodynamic wines on offer at The Reserve Cellar.