Not many have the opportunity or courage to finish uni and immediately start planting their own vineyard. With some carefulness, Erinn & Janet Klein did this, planting their biodynamic vineyard.
In 2001, with formal studies complete, they embarked on the 'real-life' study of wine. For the next few years they split their time between establishing their own small 5ha vineyard on the Mount Barker summit, Adelaide Hills, and exploring the old world of wine. Their land was long certified biodynamic, so they naturally planted the vineyard without the use of chemicals. In doing so, they became the first certified biodynamic vineyard and winery in South Australia.
Running a self-sustaining biodynamic property, they have found there's more than just vines to tend; guinea fowl and chooks prowl the vineyard, sheep are used as natural lawn mowers, Scottish Highland cattle roam the surrounding paddocks with hay cut and grain harvested as food for all creatures. Finally an enormous vege patch and orchard support the harvest crew.
With their aim to make the wine they love, they find themselves doing so much more.