OrinECO

We live off the land. If we look after it, it looks after us. In a fine wine, balance is the key, and the same goes with the land.

The Vineyard

In the vineyard we follow the sustainable wine growing policy. By following biodynamic principles we use a minimum of sprays, no insecticides, and no GE products.

The health and structure of our vineyards soils is essential to ensure our vines have the best possible growing conditions, to produce the best possible fruit. At Orinoco we make our own composts and mulches, using the previous vintages grape skins, stalks, prunings, green materials and manure from the sheep and cattle that graze on our hills. The sheep keep the grass short and by grazing between our vines and we use no herbicides under our vines.

Just like the vines, our vineyard cottage and sheds are powered by the sun. No powerlines, no grid, just solar power.

The Winery

Constructed in 2007 our new purpose built winery is up and running. This fantastic building was carefully designed by Jeremy Smith at Irving Smith Jack Architects, and now operates in complete harmony with the environment.

A key part of the winery design was to minimize the impacts on the environment, both physical and visual.

Constructed out of Bondor panels, the interior temperature is consistent and refrigeration requirements are minimal. An ideal environment making and maturing wine with a minimal demand on outside resources has been created. All rainwater is collected and used for cleaning and our 3 chamber wastewater system purifies all waste, and returns it as nutrients to feed some of the new plantings of native trees.

Wetland and bush regeneration

The winery is next to an area of wetland, which 10 years ago was covered in gorse and blackberry. Over the last few years thousands of native plants have been planted, and are now starting to take hold and establish. The majority of this work has been done by Tim Le Gros at Titoki Nurseries.

To the north of the winery some 20 hectares of regenerating native bush has been fenced off and is returning to native bush. Extensive plantings of eco-sourced trees can be found over the 100 hectare property.

Recently we have started fencing off the streams and gullies on the property, creating several hectares of land upon which native bush is regenerating and birdlife is thriving. This project also keeps stock from polluting the waterways and has significantly improved the water quality and aquatic life.