South African city uses ancient wisdom to produce chemical-free wine

To what extent does soil health contribute to what’s in the glass? That’s the question a new study on the effect of soil health on viticulture has answered by proving that it is critical to plant and animal life, as well as the quality of wine. 

The method — once condemned at agricultural schools because of the belief that grazing animals spread weeds, and cause compaction in the soil and other damage — defies old thinking by introducing ruminants in a controlled manner to the vineyard.