All of my tools and equipment, from the auger to dig holes to the water pump, are powered by the sun. I collect the sun’s energy and store it on a 1000W Jackery Solar Generator.

Instead of adding chemicals to improve the mineral content of my soil I am using red clover (crimson clover). It’s a unique plant which converts nitrogen from the air into nitrates for the vines — essential for healthy grapes.

I am testing a hypothesis that organic banana peels, in both a solid and liquid form, can add vital plant nutrients to the soil, including phosphorous, potassium, calcium and nitrogen. I will report the results in my university thesis in June 2024.

The 500P is a biodynamic technique for fertilizing and soil conditioning. The cow horns are stuffed with dung, buried for six months and then dug up. The compost is then mixed with water and sprayed on the soil to improve microorganism populations.

Sourced from Germany, the trellis system is built with 200 cm, 13 kg recycled plastic poles, which are weather-resistant and rot-proof.

In the rare chance that I have to irrigate I am collecting rainwater from the roof and storing it in an underground cistern below the vineyard.