Stefano … and the biodynamic way

A way forward for Tasmania …?

It’s often said good things come in threes.

Hot on the heels of completing 20 years of winemaking in Tasmania and attaining ‘certified biodynamic’ status for their small, family-owned Granton Vineyard, Derwent Valley couple Steve and Monique Lubiana are celebrating another 2013 milestone this week with the opening of their Stefano Lubiana Wines Biodynamic Food and Wine Interpretation Centre.

The Centre – which was co-funded by the Australian Government under its T-QUAL Grants program – was officially opened at 9.30am today by the Federal Member for Lyons, the Hon Dick Adams MP (*see below), representing Federal Tourism Minister Gary Gray MP.

The event marked the completion of a two-year program of planning and innovation by the Lubianas. First conceived in 2011, the Stefano Lubiana Wines Biodynamic Food and Wine Interpretation Centre is intended to highlight the couple’s biodynamic credentials. Their production base at Granton, located 20km north of Hobart, is home to Tasmania’s first and only certified biodynamic vineyard.

The property’s certification – carried out by Australian Certified Organic, Australia’s largest certifier of organic and biodynamic produce – was achieved in March 2013.

The Centre’s specially-designed interpretation displays, media resources and learning activities have been established to complement a tasting and dining facility to be completed in late 2013. Together, these innovative aspects of winery tourism will demonstrate and promote the diverse range of sustainable food and wine production methods being used on the picturesque site overlooking the River Derwent.

Stefano Lubiana Wines co-owner and winemaker, Steve Lubiana, said the official opening marked another step along the journey the couple began in 2008 when they decided to convert from conventional to biodynamic management practices.

“Biodynamics is a special form of organic farming which rose to prominence in the 1920s with the work of Austrian scientist, Rudolf Steiner,” Steve said.

“Its origins are much older than that, and are based on ancient farming practices devised centuries ago that took into account various lunar events and other cosmic influences. Respectful of nature and working with its rhythms, today we nourish our soils and strengthen our vines with compost teas, natural minerals and plant-based preparations. These are all very beneficial to the environment as well as contributing to the sustainability of our grape-growing and winemaking activities.

“Australia currently lags behind the rest of the world in adopting genuinely sustainable farming and viticultural practices. We believe that the various developments associated with our new Biodynamic Food and Wine Interpretation Centre demonstrate that working sustainably with the land is something that can be achieved by anyone committed to the environment, whether you’re operators of a commercial vineyard or you’re just working at home on your own vegetable patch.”

SUMMARY:

Tasmania’s Stefano Lubiana Wines achieved an industry milestone today by opening their new Stefano Lubiana Wines Biodynamic Food and Wine Interpretation Centre. Co-funded by the Australian Government under its T-QUAL Grants program, the development incorporates a range of tourism experiences that highlight the family company’s attainment of ‘certified biodynamic’ producer status in March 2013.

Stefano Lubiana Wines is wholly owned and operated by husband-and-wife team, Steve and Monique Lubiana. Its home base is a 25ha vineyard and winery located at Granton, 20km north of Hobart. The site was established in 1990 and has been managed according to sustainable and environmentally friendly biodynamic practices since 2008.

*Mark Smith, Communications, sales and marketing Stefano Lubiana Wines Pty Ltd 60 Rowbottoms Road Granton TAS 7030

The new interpretation centre

Monique and Stefano Lubiana

Cover cropping (fava beans)

Biodynamic composting

• What Dick Adams said…

Federal Member for Lyons, Dick Adams, today officially opened a new biodynamic food and wine display centre at Stefano Lubiana Wines in the picturesque Derwent Valley on behalf of Minister Assisting on Tourism, Senator Don Farrell.

The New Biodynamic Food and Wine Interpretation Centre at the winery will draw visitors to Granton with an interpretive display, hands-on activites and local produce on offer. The project was funded through the Federal Government’s T-QUAL Grants program.

Mr Adams said the new interpretive display and hands-on activities would be a new major tourism drawcard for local, interstate and internatinal visitors.

“Visitors to the Centre will be able to investigate how the land was used in the past, how it is managed today and how it will b sustainably managed in the future. Visitors can also participate in workshops and seminars on biodynamic agriculture and wine making,” Mr Adams said.

A purpose-built tastinbg and dining facility that will seat 30 guests was also developed as part of the project and will highlight sustainable production methods.

The Federal Government contributed $110,000 to the development through the T=QAL Grants program. T=QUAL Grants aim to boost the quality, resilience and productivity of the tourism industry by partnering with business to develop quality new tourism products.

Mr Adams congratulated the owners of Stefano Lubiano Wines, and said the attraction will be a boost to Grantyon and the surrounding Derwent Valley region.

“This new centre is another jewel in the crown for tourism in this area, with the Derwent Valley already making a name for itself as a must-see tourist destination in Tasmania.”

In the year ending 31 March 2013, the Hobart and South Tasmanian Tourism region had over 3 million visitors who spent $1.3 billion. These figures are up 6.7 per cent and 21 per cent respectively on the same period last year.

“This attraction will help encourage more visitors to Tasmanian and generate flow=on benefits for businesses in the region,” Mr Adams said.

The T-QUAL Grants program provides dollar-for-dollar matching grants to support the development of innovative projects which enhance the quality and variety of Australian tourism experiences. It is an integral part of the Government’s Tourism 2020 strategy to doouble the value of overnight expenditure by 2020.

Authorised by G. Wright, Australian Labor, 5/9 Sydney Vaenue, Bart, ACT, 2600