Victorian Excellence
Fowles Wine achieved a Sustainable Winegrowing Australia certification in December 2023, which acknowledges its approach to management in the vineyard and winery. This certification is recognition for its long
standing commitment to its wine making philosophy, ‘farming in nature’s image’.
In addition to longstanding sustainability practices in the vineyard, Fowles Wine has progressed several biodiversity-led projects this year, including a groundbreaking microbat study and a partnership with Euroa Arboretum to grow insectariums and seed orchards that will attract pollinators and provide shelter for wildlife. Seeds harvested from the seed orchard will be used by Euroa Arboretum to support local landscape restoration. Fowles Wine also introduced beehives into the vineyard to help pollinate vegetation around the farm, from the cover crops in between rows of vines, to the fruit trees at the family home to foster growth and abundance.
In partnership with the University of New England, Fowles Wine has conducted a study in their vineyard to determine if microbats can effectively control pests which put pressure on the vines. Of the sixteen species of insect-eating microbats in Victoria, twelve species of microbats call Fowles home. These small vineyard residents consume up to 100% of their body mass in insects each day.
This means a colony of 100 bats, weighing ten grams each, could remove up to one kilo of insects every night. With minimal human intervention, insect-eating micro-bats as a means of vineyard pest control could save Australia’s wine industry fifty million per annum. Paying homage to Fowles Wines’ light touch approach, the new range of wines named ‘Fieldsong’ have generous aromatics and vibrant flavours. The White Field blend offers vibrant citrus aromatics with a hint of spice, complemented by sauvignon blanc’s ethereal quality and riesling’s texture. The Red Field blend goes from lighter plum and floral notes of mourvèdre to the intense dark fruit flavours of pinot noir.