Sideways News

Mr Eden uses the concept of biodynamics to produce his wine

A British winemaker in the south of France has revealed plans to make production of the beverage greener than ever.

Robert "Bertie" Eden, the great-nephew of former prime minister Anthony Eden, is hoping to build a new zero-carbon state-of-the-art winery in the south of France – an area renowned for the creation of varieties including Jurancon and Bergerac.

According to the Independent, it is hoped the site will also produce more energy than it actually consumes through the use of solar panels, while it will also boast a living roof, hemp in the walls and reed beds to recycle water.

Plans for the building, which will not be open to the public, have been inspired by the concept of biodynamics that Mr Eden follows in the creation of his wine.

The organic system recognises all of the issues that influence the production of the drink – such as the soil used to plant vines and the animals nearby – as part of an overall process influenced by the gravitational pull of the moon.

It also involves tactics including the treatment of vines with herbal tea rather than chemicals, as well as the use of horses to plough land.

Discussing the concept with the newspaper, Mr Eden said: "When all these relationships are in balance, the soil is richer, the biodiversity in the vineyard thrives and the wine is better."

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