Last week I wrote about yet another delicious lunch we had at one of our favourite South West places, Cullen Winery (see here). Keen to see the beautiful gardens we headed outside and discovered a new treasure – a self-guided tour of their Biodynamic Garden. It is a fairly new addition opened in 2013 though this was our first walk round (we must have been too busy making wine purchases on previous visits to notice!).
Once you’ve admired the views and grounds, you are encouraged to wander round the spiral shaped garden and learn more about Cullen’s farming practices and philosophy. There is a raft of information and you can read up more here.
Always with a concern for the environment, Cullen switched to being totally organic in 1998 but increased this to incorporate biodynamic practices in 2003. Only preparations based on mineral, plant and animal substances are used in soil preparation. Furthermore the moon cycles and in particular the position of the moon in relation to the other planets governs the viticulture at Cullen. I can only give a brief overview here but a pictorial guided tour helps to give an idea of the ideas behind the wine cultivation at Cullen.
If you’re wondering about the difference between organic and biodynamic (as I was) here is a close up of the explanation!
Our self-guided tour brought back memories of school science lessons. However I don’t remember my teachers discussing the importance of the Moon being opposite Saturn in wine production (nor for that matter teaching us about viticulture at all!). Lunar cycles and bees are 2 of the important cogs in the wheel of the farming at Cullen.
The local Aboriginal people, the Wardandi and the early European settlers have all made a contribution to the botanical history of the South West region.
The Biodynamic Spiral Garden is well worth a wander round – it’s a relaxed and peaceful place in a lovely setting and the fresh produce and wines are a testament to the Cullen family’s hard work and dedication!
Thanks Suzanne – yes it’s a lovely place and the Spiral Garden is so interesting as well as looking beautiful!
I’ve never head of biodynamics before Rosemary, this was really interesting. Does that mean the wine is healthier and we can drink more of it!! Well, I quite like that idea….
Going to look out for your other recommendation too Rosemary – thank you for that!! Any excuse to try nice wine and we’re up for that! We’re battered by another storm at the moment, my son is so disappointed that we haven’t had snow, just more rain!!
You’re very welcome Joy!! Monsieur has an extensive wine collection – all very good quality! Oh dear I’ve been reading about the storms – last week it was Gertrude this must be another one. Hope you haven’t had any damage. We’ve had a cool couple of days (we’ve had cool spells on and off all summer). Last night was the coldest February night in over 30 years in parts of Perth – the airport was 7 degrees and here nearer the coast it was 10 – most unusual for Perth in the summer! I was wearing a woollen jumper as we wanted to sit outside to eat dinner and with the strong wind too it was really quite chilly.However it will start to warm up again soon so I mustn’t complain – it’s rather pleasant to have had a cool spell in the middle of summer for a change! Hope the storms ease up for you soon!
The weather seems to be weird everywhere right now Rosemary!! Gertrude has passed through, now we’re waiting for Henry….
Yes it definitely appears that way Joy – topsy turvy all over the place! Hope that Henry isn’t as bad as they seem to be predicting and you all stay safe. I wonder whose job it is to think up the names?!
It looks like a pleasant and informative walk !
I thought the way the garden was set out was very interesting – we certainly learnt a lot going round the Spiral Garden and the fresh vegetables and flowers looked wonderful and had a lovely scent too!
A great way to walk off lunch and discover the history of the winery. The gardens look so lovely!
Fascinating information I have come across biodynamic and it is a very intensive method of cultivation. That spiral garden looked lovely.
Thanks Pauline 🙂 It certainly seemed to be a very intensive method of cultivation from what we read but well worth it – the Spiral Garden was lovely and the produce they grow there delicious!
What a wonderful garden and wine too. One of the joys of the blog world is learning about ideas and places I hadn’t come across before. I’m going to be in Perth for a few days in a couple of weeks, but don’t think I’ll have time to get down to Margaret River. I wondered if you’d like to meet up for a coffee while I’m in your city?
Sounds a great place to relax and enjoy the nature at the same time! Thank you for inspiring walk and sharing a new place to visit!