NRM Viticulture Series: Enriching our soils and elevating our vines with compost

We’re excited to celebrate World Soil Day and invite you to a day focused on the foundation of vineyard health: the soil. 

In the words of our main presenter, viticulturist Steve Faulkner, “It’s all about the dirt.” With over 20 years of experience in biological farming, Steve will guide us through practical techniques for creating healthier soils, from compost teas and homemade compost to cover crops, all practices that boost soil biology while minimising chemical inputs.

Connect with others passionate about sustainable vineyard management and discover how enriching the soil through composting can elevate grape quality and vineyard resilience.

PRESENTERS

Steve Faulkner (Oakridge Wines): 
Gain insights on building healthier soils that support vibrant vines and resilient ecosystems, from compost teas to homemade compost to cover crops.  

Michael Attard (City of Launceston):
Explore waste recovery and the council’s FOGO program with practical advice on using green waste in sustainable land practices. With a background spanning marine biology and ecosystem health, Michael brings a unique perspective on closing the loop in land management.

Matthias Utzinger (Utzinger Wines):
Discover how organic viticulture and dedication to biodiversity at Utzinger Wines support native species and sustainable wine production. Matthias' commitment to true terroir includes setting aside 10% of the vineyard for native grasses and an additional 15% planted with native trees and shrubs, creating a balanced ecosystem for high-quality fruit production and environmental stewardship.  

Declan McDonald (Regen Soils P/L):
Gain insights into the science behind composting, its transformative impact on soil health, and sustainable viticulture. With over 30 years of experience in soil science and horticultural management, Declan brings expertise from urban horticulture to large-scale vineyard composting. His work includes a three-year study with Port Phillip Westernport CMA and developing 200 hectares of vines using innovative composting techniques.

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The Tasmanian Soil Extension Program is being delivered by NRM North, NRM South and the Cradle Coast NRM, with support from the TAS Farm Innovation Hub through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.