In an industry first, Robert Hall Winery, will initiate a comparative trial for the wider wine community to learn about regenerative farming with organic and biodynamic farming techniques, comparing the results with conventionally farmed vineyards. The trial will be led by world renown biodynamic consultant Philippe Armenier.
For more than 30 years, Armenier has been carrying on a love affair with biodynamic farming. His family’s famed Domaine de Marcoux in Chateauneuf de Pape, France, was the first vineyard in Chateauneuf de Pape to convert to biodynamics. Armenier now passionately shares the philosophy of biodynamics with the world. Using these techniques at Domaine de Marcoux the winery soared to new heights, “one of the greatest wine estates in the world profiled in my book” wrote Robert Parker, culminating in a perfect 100-point score for its Chateauneuf de Pape, Domaine de Marcoux, cuvée Vieilles Vignes 1989, 1990, 2001, 2007.
The study at Robert Hall Winery will be unique in that once per month a Field Day will be held at Robert Hall Winery for trade, writers, press and consumers. The Field Days will be an educational hands on experience explaining and teaching regenerative farming through organic and biodynamic techniques. “This is one of the most transparent studies that I’m aware of anywhere in the world,” says Armenier. “It will showcase regenerative farming practices in a real life case study that brings the whole community together on a journey.”
The regenerative farming comparative trial project will launch November 9 and the first guest Field Day with Armenier will be held at the Robert Hall Winery on Friday, Dec 4th at 10am. The event is free, but reservations are required.