Organically certified, Hand-crafted, Real wines from single sites across Victoria
Vineyard health is imperative to producing great wines, we achieve this through organic & biodynamic farming
Biodynamics ‘Growing Green’
By definition, Biodynamic farming can be defined as a system of farming that follows a sustainable holistic approach which uses only organic, usually locally sourced materials, for fertilising and soil conditioning. Biodynamics views the farm as a closed, diversified ecosystem and often bases farming activities on lunar cycles.
To be certified biodynamic, you have to already be certified organic. To be organically certified as viticulturists we must completely forgo the use of chemical pesticides, conventional fertilisers and anything genetically modified. Only organically certified chemicals in minute amounts can be used in the vineyard.
Biodynamics means to take a step further and look at your vineyard / property as a whole organism, from the micro biology in the top soil to the sun rays from the sky. They all play a vital role on the land. We pay close attention to the environment, including the lunar environment and the cycles in which affect all living organisms. The relationship between the cosmos and the earth. These principles are not something thought up from the last century but are dated back to the book ‘History of Nature’ by Pliny in 23AD.
These principles and practices are for long-term health of the vine and the property.
Domaine Carlei G2
Domaine Carlei G2 (Second generation winemaker) is my story, and my venture in making great drinking wines in a traditional method by sourcing great fruit from vineyards across Victoria.
My earliest memory of wine making goes back to the beachy suburbs of Beaumaris where father (Sergio Carlei of Carlei Wines) would have barrels in the garage. Memories of crushing, destemming in the drive way and basket pressing chardonnay was a yearly ritual.
However, it wasn’t until 1998 we moved to the leafy country side of Upper Beaconsfield. My parents making a shift and fulfilling their dream of having a vineyard and winery.
So, what are we about? It’s all about making real wines. What are real wines? Real wines are wines that include old world traditions with new world technologies expressing terrior, which incorporates vineyard site and grape variety.
My winemaking involves using large portions of whole clusters with the reds, minimal destemming, this means that I pick my fruit when it is most ripe, stalks included. They see long maceration periods pre and post fermentation for up to 100 days. Matured in french oak (Troncais) for 16-18months.
The whites are whole bunch pressed straight to barrel and see lees stirring and spend up to 14 months maturing. In some cases fermentation in ceramic egg fermenters are used and then racked to barrel for malolactic fermentation and maturing.
David Carlei
