Margreid, Italy. Biodynamic viticulture in South Tyrol.
The Alois Lageder family winery in South Tyrol has existed since 1823. In 2004, the Lageder family began to cultivate their vineyards biodynamically. The vision was to establish a circular economy integrated into the local ecosystem, encompassing all the family’s own land. Twenty years later, the dream has become a reality and is even manifesting itself beyond that: not only the Lageder family’s land but also the vineyards of the more than 60 winemaking partners have been converted to biodynamic agriculture. Holistic viticulture in the sense of biodynamics is now evident on the 55 hectares of the estate as a colorful picture of diversity: oxen and cows graze in the vineyards; there are also pigs, chickens, geese, and turkeys. A large vegetable garden grows next to the vines. Everything that the land produces is processed in the organic farm restaurant.
In addition, a new value system was introduced for the winery, which forms the basis for cooperation with the winemaking partners. Managing Director Alois Clemens Lageder explains how the system is intended to support healthy farming: “Values such as diversity, fertility, and organic farming are specifically promoted and rewarded by the new system. We have developed the value system together with some of our winegrower partners and divided it into the five pillars of soil, plant, animal, human and market. Greening, gentle pruning and working with animals, for example, are measures that are listed in the catalog of values. The starting point is that all partners work organically or biodynamically. Based on this, they are free to decide how far they want to go in the five areas and which values and measures they want to implement. The parameters serve as a support, a guide and increase awareness of what more can be done to make the vineyard even healthier. The value system should make it possible to achieve the goals step by step.”
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Translation Charles Cross
Image Alois Clemens Lageder, Photo: Letizia Cigliutti
