Ex-pat New Zealander biodynamic and organic viticultural consultant and oenologist Lauren Langfield has joined Orbis Wines as their Chief Winemaker.
Ms Langfield has recently worked with William Downie in West Gippsland, Brendan Keys, Gareth Belton and Erinn Klein in the Adelaide Hills, and says that her palate “rests somewhere within the balance of non-conformist natural wine and restrained textbook winemaking”.
“My strengths in organic and biodynamic viticulture benefit my winemaking - respecting fruit quality and not getting too heavy handed with the winemaking influences,” she says.
“I have put in the hard yards in the vineyard first, which I think is crucial for winemaking.”
For Orbis Wines commitment to "make exceptional wine using only what is necessary, and to return to the property what is needed for regeneration and sustainability; nurturing soil, vines and landscapes with an ecological focus" makes her a perfect fit.
Co-founder Kendall Grey says, “Her knowledge and skill and commitment to make great wines in ways that minimise waste and damage and add to making a better environment is a very good fit for us."
Brad Moyes and Kendall Grey establised Orbis Wines at McLaren Vale in 2019, ably assisted by sustainability focused, Nuffield Scholar viticulturalist Richard Leask.
Orbis is a finalist in the Australian Top 50 Vineyards Awards 2021, recognised for its commitment to sustainability, innovation and growing great wines. The winery is off-grid and solar-powered with enough energy to charge the vineyard car and forklift.
Regeneration in the vineyard with an eye to the future conditions is paramount and weakened, unproductive old vines are currently being replaced with varietals better suited to Australian changing climate conditions, including Cinsault, Trousseau, Grenache, Tempranillo, Montepulciano, Fiano, Albarino, Nero D’avola and old vine Shiraz.
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