We are practicing sustainable farming at Waimarama since 2002, conducting precise manual works in the vineyards. We also avoid excessive intervention in winemaking, practicing winemaking that respects the unique character of the land and the natural environments.
Chase Arquette was one of the first wine producers in New Zealand to adopt sustainable farming in 2002. He practices healthy grape growing while minimizing the burden on natural environments. By avoiding excessive chemical intervention and embracing the vineyard's natural balance, he produces pure wines that express the unique character of the land.
At Waimarama, we focus on "regenerative farming," which protects health of soils while regenerating the vineyards over long term. Chemical intervention is minimized, and weeds and cover crops are utilized to maintain soil microbial diversity. This naturally balances the soil's water retention and nutrients, resulting in stable vine vigor. These sustainable vineyard practices cultivate grapes that are resistant to external stress and having concentrated flavors.
We minimize the use of pesticides and herbicides in our vineyards and strive to cultivate our grapes in a way that minimizes impacts on natural environments. We utilize natural predators to control pests and maintain ecological balance. By monitoring each plot's carefully and minimizing human interventions, unique characteristics of each plot are fully expressed and potential of grapes are maximized. Our approach to maintaining the health of the vineyards is centered on coexistence with nature.
To express the innate characteristics of the grapes and the unique characteristics of the land where they were grown, we adopt a minimal intervention philosophy of "avoiding excessive interventions" throughout the entire winemaking process. Based on the belief that the vineyard determines the character of the wine, we pursue a style that fully expresses the fruit's unique characteristics through natural yeast fermentation and small-lot vinification by vineyard plot. We are taking a winemaking approach that minimizes environmental impacts and emphasizes the natural energy of the grapes by limiting chaptalisation, acidification and use of stabilizers.
Our wines bear the Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand™ (SWNZ) certification mark.
This mark is a certification established by the New Zealand Wine Producers Association, outlining the fundamental policies and standards for sustainable winemaking. The standards are stringent, aiming for environmental conservation from grape cultivation to winemaking. This involves not only minimizing the use of chemical pesticides during cultivation, but also meticulous attention to various substances emitted during winemaking. Therefore, we monitor and measure this data daily, striving to reduce our environmental impact.