3 Things to Know about Biodynamics

What is It?... Biodynamic agriculture is based on a series of lectures given by Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner in 1924. Biodynamics is a method of agriculture which seeks to actively work with the health-giving forces of nature. It is the oldest non-chemical agricultural movement, predating the organic agriculture movement by some twenty years and has now spread throughout the world.

In the Vineyards… Biodynamics recognizes that great wine starts in the vineyard… care of the soil is where it all begins. The grape vines capture the terroir with their roots and leaves to create wines of diversity. No herbicides, insecticides, or chemical fertilizers are used, but organic enrichment of the soil is a fundamental practice. All the grapes are hand picked, which is not simply a Biodynamic practice but an important part of better wines.

In the Cellar… practicing natural vinification is basically the art of noninterference or minimal manipulation… no commercial yeasts are used, no chemical additives, no acidification, adding sugar = chaptalization. The wines are often unfined and unfiltered. On balance, none of the new technologies are used. The attempt is to create what one winemaker called, "true wines with original taste and complete transparency."