Welcome to the blog of Johnathan Grieve.
I am the proprietor of Avondale wine estate, and pioneer of the BioLOGIC® approach to sustainable viticulture. The transformation of Avondale from over-used and abused land into a thriving, robust vineyard ecosystem has been a personal learning journey of more than a decade long. This blog is where I share some of what I have learnt about promoting life on our farm and the wonderful impact this has had on our handcrafted premium quality wines.
Johnathan Grieve
The Lively Energy of Nature’s Water
One of the essential qualities of natural water is that it flows; and it flows in a myriad of enlivening forms – unique swirls, spirals and whirlpools, eddies and vortices. Water moves constantly through chaos and balance, in harmony with the duality of the world.
![Avondale Estate – where terra est vita [earth is life]](https://biologicwine.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Avondale_Harvest-2012_079.jpg)
Avondale Estate – where terra est vita [earth is life]
When you stand in a Shiraz vineyard on the slopes of the Klein Drakenstein with a clear view of Table Mountain, on a God-given day, with a black eagle circling overhead, Johnathan Grieve next to you with a handful of soil that looks like Christmas pudding, writhing with earthworms, you get a sense of the seriousness and passion with which he farms the family Estate.
Growing with Mother Nature
Australian grapegrowers and winemakers aren’t alone in their efforts to give back to the land that supports them. For this special sustainability issue, Grapegrower & Winemaker invited South African grapegrower and winemaker Johnathan Grieve to share his unique connection with the vineyard, which he says goes beyond the labels or organic and biodynamic.
The Cyclus of Life
“We didn’t go the organic and biodynamic route to be certified and jump on the greenie bandwagon,’ Johnathan Grieve, viticulturist and general manager of Avondale, says. ‘ We did it because it’s the right thing to do.”
The Champagne Diet
Still struggling to shift those kilos put on over the festive season, but not ready to put down the bubbly yet? With the latest and definitely most user-friendly diet to hit the headlines, you don’t have to!
Nature’s Way to Control Pests
At Avondale, we certainly wanted an alternative method of pest management that fitted with the principles of our holistic BioLOGIC® approach and maintained the integrity of our commitment to organic and biodynamic farming. We looked to Nature to find better ways to counteract Vine Mealybugs, and prevent infestation and disease.
Fruit Mince Frangipane Tartlets Recipe
When it came to finding the most delicious pairing for Avondale’s premium bubbly, Armilla, Sonia Cabano selected these tartlets made by Olivier Wagener from Greed Cakes & Desserts. Good news is that they are also available, ready to bake, from Avondale Estate over the festive period.