Organic Viticulture Seminar

The workshop covers all basic aspects of organic/biodynamic viticulture - weed, pest and disease control, vineyard infrastrcture, organic certification and standards, management plans, production costs and the market for organic wine.
Tim Marshall, one of Australia's leading experts will facilitate the course, along with a certified organic grower on hand during the day to answer your practical questions. Tim is the Deputy Chair of the peak industry body (Organic Federation of Australia), was a co-founder of organic certifier NASAA, and has visited over 100 certified organic vineyards both here and overseas.

As well as a 130 page manual, copies of the presentation material and a CD with 2 other manuals, you'll also get lunch. For more information visit the TM Organics website http://www.tmorganics.com/organic-viticulture-is-it-for-you.html

STOP PRESS: Second generation winemaker wins 2010 Young Gun Australian Winemaker!!

Rollo Crittenden has been named as this year's Young Gun Australian Winemaker of the Year. Representing a region that is barely 30 years old, Rollo's win reinforces the quality offering from Crittenden Estate and the Mornington Peninsula overall.

Announced on August 16th at the Young Gun of Wine Awards ceremony at Melbourne's Supper Club, the awards night was the culmination of a week-long festival celebrating the freshest, newest and most innovative young winemaking talent in the Australian wine industry. Chosen from a shortlist of eleven winemakers from all over the country, the competition was 'hot' to say the least.

On receiving the award, Rollo said the Young Gun title was the outcome of following what he loved to do, including making and enjoying the subtleties of Spanish wine.

The Young Gun of Wine judging panel of Chief Judge Nick Stock, Young Gun of Wine Founder Rory Kent, Max Allen, Philip Rich and last year's winner, Colin McBryde of Some Young Punks, were impressed with the overall standard of all competitors however, Rollo's wines shone through. Nick Stock said, "Rollo has struck a unique chord in terms of the wines he's making, the styles, the package and the pitch - all beautifully understated, polished and presented."

On receiving his award, Rollo said he was "absolutely rapt to be chosen from such a competitive field. He went on to say, "I would also like to acknowledge the support I have received from the tight knit and committed group of vignerons in our region. They are a very talented group producing top quality wines and I'm proud to be part of it."

Visit www.younggunofwine.com for more information.

Garry's latest project

Whilst travelling through Spain Garry discovered and took a liking to the delectable Marcona almonds that are prevalent in tapas bars. Upon returning home he set about finding them in Australia. To no avail. After a lot of googling he found Dr Michelle Wirthensohn, a horticultural researcher who was, as it happened, in the process of making marcona almonds available for the first time. To read an article about Garry's latest project involving Marcona almonds, click here.