Sustainability & Wine in Alentejo:
In this Alentejo Wines episode, I am speaking to Iain Richardson, from the wine estate, Herdade do Mouchão.
Mouchão is a great example of an integrated estate in Alentejo where different flora and fauna are interwoven to create the whole.
The Sobreiro, or cork oak trees, are an integral part of the history of this region and yet, as Iain tells us, climate is one of the drivers that is causing a substantial die-off against which he and his team are fighting.
For reference, the Arroba, mentioned in this recording is actually a measure used for weighing cork, equivalent to 15 kilograms.
The story of Mouchão is one that really marries the past with the present in terms of identifying the moment where history and tradition are faced with the need for non-linear responses in order to achieve sustainability.
It is the story that really connects the glass of wine, or jug of olive oil, to the seemingly infinite physical and chemical interactions within the biosphere.
It is also a great human challenge to adapt to these changes and to regenerate our soils, build resilience and learn to live in a different world.
This feeds back into the importance of what programmes like WASP can achieve when they provide the framework for measuring change and disseminating knowledge.
source
Really interesting interview. Such a down to earth conversation which gives so much insight.
Really interesting, thanks Nick!
I have not listened to any of the other wine growing interviews yet, but this well worth it.
I care for almost 100 acres organic cattle farm and am well versed in the animal or pasturalists' regenerative practices, but so interesting that he was moving away from irrigation (which I am assuming you have also discussed on your other regenerative interviews). Toughen things up.
Very glad he has gotten rid of his disc plow.
I hope all the help from outside associations will give more ideas they have into action.
I would like to know if they could get better ground cover somehow. Cools everything, holds in water, and may counter some of the sand that is blowing .
Has made a huge change on our place, and we even have a native ground cover that is growing in our tree shelter belts that little lizards and lots of life that feeds the little birds that possibly would eat the vine spiders etc.he has problems with.
Exciting stuff, just takes time and a bit of trial and error….(but then there are the extreme weather events).
I would love to see everyone who has even a tiny bit of yard or is near a parkland try and apply all this stuff.
Thanks again!