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We are delighted to present the EcoGrowers podcast where we discuss practical ways of growing in harmony with nature!
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About Dr Mary Retallack
Mary is the founder and custodian of the EcoVineyards program which champions practical ecological solutions for a broad range of production systems.
As an experienced agricultural scientist, agroecologist, and third-generation viticulturist, Mary brings a wide range of skills and experience from practical, research, teaching, consultancy roles and is recognised internationally as a Chartered Agriculturist (CAg).
These skills have been gathered over the past 30 years along with a PhD in Viticulture and Plant Protection and tertiary qualifications in Conservation and Park Management, Natural Resource Management, Education, Viticulture, and Arbitration. Mary is a recognised leader in the fields of agroecology, functional biodiversity enhancement and native insectary plants.
Her PhD studies focused on the role of native insectary ground cover plants and measurement of their functional biodiversity benefits by assessing the predatory arthropods found in association. She is also an adult education extension specialist.
Mary has published broadly on the topics of native ground cover species, functional biodiversity enhancement in vineyards and the arthropods found in association. She has given numerous presentations and is based in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia and consults internationally.
About Dan Falkenberg
Dan is a third generation Barossa vigneron and has 30 years of experience in all facets of viticulture and ecological land management practices. He has worked for large corporate companies and several family-owned wineries and vineyards.
As active leader in the Barossa viticultural community Dan has been involved with the Barossa Viticultural Technical Group, Creating Resilient landscapes program, Wildlife for Wine, EcoVineyards and has been involved in many Barossa Australia funded projects. He has been the recipient of several federal funded government grants to investigate enhancing vineyard biodiversity and regenerative land management practices using native perennial grasses.
Dan has been the Viticulturist for Eden Hall Wines since 2011, where he has implemented extensive regenerative and biological viticultural practises including, biodiversity programs, mulching, compost production, bio stimulant production, mid-row and under vine native grass establishment and holistic grazing systems.
In 2018 Dan was awarded the Barons of the Barossa Viticulturist of the year and most recently Eden Hall won the prestigious 2022 Young Gun of Wine ‘vineyard of the year’.
Acknowledgements
The National EcoVineyards Program was funded by Wine Australia from 2023 to 2025 with levies from Australia’s grape growers and winemakers and matching funds from the Australian Government.
The program is delivered by Retallack Viticulture and Ecology with significant support from regional communities and wine grape growers.