32: HoA "Wine - it's all about the dirt" with Steve Faulkner

Today we're chatting with Steve Faulkner who is a viticulturalist with Oakridge wines based in the Yarra Valley.

They're the unsung heroes behind that beautiful glass of rose or the flavours that jump out at you in your shiraz.

Today's chat with Steve covers some technical aspects of wine making which is really interesting. Steve mentions in 2009 there was a significant shift in practices and weather patterns and this has led to adjusting how they actually grow the wines in the vineyard. With harsher, hotter summers and springs like this year that are very wet – the flow on effects of climate change are seeing harvests and seasons change.

I had this "A-ha" moment during this. A lot of what Steve talks about around plant health and soil health reminded me a lot of what both Amy Knight in Ep (24) and Steph Geddes Ep (13) were talking about relating to people.

As Steve talks about the cross-over between soil management I'm really surprised that more farmers generally aren't talking. I would love to float the idea of bringing together a group of people – not just farmers but from different aspects of the food system to come and chat the translation of healthy soils to healthy people and amazing products.

It's a great chance to plug the HoA Movember - https://movember.com/t/humans-of-agriculture?mc=1

The ripple effect, Mental Health for Rural Australia– https://therippleeffect.com.au/

Oakridge Wines - https://www.oakridgewines.com.au/

@viticulture_australia

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EvokeAG 2026:
I'm excited to be one of the MC's for evokeAG in 2026. This event is unlike any other in Aussie agriculture and brings together the brightest minds from across the AgriFood ecosystem focused on solutions to some of our planets biggest challenges. Get your tickets at evokeAG.com