Winter Solstice 

Winter Solstice in modern society is marked by the shortest day of the year. In 2020 this will happen on June 21st  and on the same date it will be the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere.

Previous cultures would celebrate winter solstice with a festival of food, wine and music.  Food was still plentiful, wine had finished fermenting and animals were slaughtered, some eaten and some preserved, to reduce the need for winter-feeding. Rodolf Steiner’s info on Solstice.

For many Australians winter is a time to rejuvenate. To eat, sleep, read, and enjoy arts & crafts. For ‘grower’ winemakers like us, it’s an opportunity to give our bodies a rest, tend and taste the maturating wines that are tucked away in our underground cellar, make repairs to equipment, prune vines ready for spring as well as prepare for the coming warmer month’s wine sales.  All the while the biodynamic prep 500 is transforming itself underground from cow dung into a majestic bacterial igniter.

In recent years Tasmania’s MONA (Museum of Old and New Art) has celebrated this time of the year with the Dark Mofo Festival. Situated around greater Hobart and its waterfront this event ends with a nude swim in the Derwent River. Wine, roasted meats, spirits and entertainment are the main focus throughout this curious festival.  This year Dark Mofo was unfortunately cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions. Similarly Sydneysiders at this time of the year usually enjoy the very impressive Vivid Festival but unfortunately it too was cancelled this year.

Luckily, we as a nation are moving past Covid-19 and now most of us are able to enjoy the company of more family and friends in our own homes.  Perhaps it’s time to hold your own little Winter Solstice festival.  Light the fire and enjoy cooking up a delicious feast, washing it all down with some outstanding Stefano Lubiana biodynamic Pinot Noir or Chardonnay.