Margaret River Organic Wine introduces a group of certified producers who are passionate about organic and biodynamic wine in the Margaret River region.

 

Certified Organic or Biodynamic Producers

Organic and biodynamic produce is increasingly popular with and sought after by consumers. A growing number of producers in the Margaret River Wine Region are gaining certification as organic or biodynamic grape or wine producers, and the purpose of this site is to identify all producers in the Margaret River Wine Region who are certified organic or biodynamic so that consumers can seek out their products. The list below provides basic information as to the certification status of every producer in the Margaret River Wine Region that has gained, or is in the process of gaining, organic or biodynamic certification for their vineyards or wineries. Note that some of the larger producers on the list are converting their vineyards to organic over an extended period of time, or will buy fruit from non-certified producers, so not all of the fruit they use in their winemaking will be certified. By clicking on the name of a producer you will be taken to their website where you can obtain further information on their business and philosophy, as well as details of opening times and location. This listing was last updated on 10 December 2023.

 

Margaret River Certified Organic and Biodynamic Wine Trail

At present there is only a small number of producers in the Margaret River Wine Region that have fully certified all their vineyards and their wineries, and that only sell wines produced from certified organic or biodynamic fruit. The Margaret River Certified Organic and Biodynamic Wine Trail visits a selection of these wineries on a relaxed and picturesque journey through the heart of the Margaret River Wine Region and its many attractions. An online version of the wine trail brochure can be accessed by clicking this link. Copies of the wine trail brochure will soon be available through visitor centres in the Margaret River region.

PRODUCERORGANIC/BIODYNAMICCERT AGENCYCERT NOGRAPESWINE
Blind CornerBiodynamicACO12066YesYes
Burnside Organic FarmBiodynamicDemeter743YesYes
Cullen WinesBiodynamicACO10864YesYes
Settlers RidgeOrganicNASAA61077YesYes
Stormflower VineyardOrganicSXC19021YesYes

Certifying Agencies

In Australia, achieving organic or biodynamic certification requires meeting and maintaining the standards prescribed by one of Australia's six private certifiers, who base their certification standards on the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce published by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. All certifiers are accredited by DAFF. Australian Certified Organic (ACO), National Association for Sustainable Agriculture Australia (NASAA), Australian DEMETER Bio-Dynamic (Demeter) and Southern Cross Certified (SXC) are the main certifiers in Australia for organic and bio-dynamic producers or processors in the wine industry. If you are interested in buying organic or biodynamic wine, you should look for the logo of the certifier on the bottle, to verify that the product is certified.

Why does certification matter?

Organic and biodynamic food production is founded on the principle of producing food in an environmentally sustainable and socially responsible way, through soil regeneration, water conservation and animal welfare; and minimising the negative known or reasonably possible impacts. Certification practices include:

  • avoiding the use of synthetic or artificially produced pesticides, herbicides, fertilisers or GMOs (genetically modified, transgenic organisms)

  • promoting biodiversity by growing a variety of crops

  • preventing soil erosion and improving soil quality

  • conserving energy

  • protecting wildlife, stream banks and watersheds

While many wine producers claim to use organic or biodynamic principles or practices in their vineyards or wine making, only a few have made the extra commitment required to gain and maintain certification. The certification of primary production land to organic or biodynamic status can take anywhere from 12 months to 36 months depending on prior history. Certified winemaking involves adhering to strict rules around avioding mixing certified with non-certified fruit, and what additives or processing aids can be used in the winemaking process.

Certified producers are subject to an annual audit by their certifying agency to ensure that the organic or biodynamic standards are maintained. Unlike non-certified producers who claim to use organic or biodynamic principles, certified producers do not have the option to use non-approved inputs, such as fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides or GMOs. If they do, they risk losing their certification. For a consumer, the certification of an organic or biodynamic product signifies the integrity of that product.