What is Biodynamic Farming?
Biodynamics is a wholistic farming approach developed
in the 1920s by scientist Rudolf Steiner, the Austrian
philosopher who created Waldorf education.
While it encompasses many of the principles of organic
farming, such as the elimination of all chemicals,
Biodynamics goes further, requiring close attention
to the varied forces of nature influencing the vine.
It also emphasizes a closed, self-sustaining ecosystem.
Biodynamic Farming
-
Promotes the individuality of a given site by minimizing
outside influences and recycling all farm and wine
residues back into the vineyards.
-
Emphasizes soil health as a means of increasing the
health of the vine and cultivating aroma, color and
texture in the wine.
-
Uses no chemically synthesized fertilizers, pesticides,
herbicides, fungicides, fumigants, hormones, antibiotics,
growth regulators or GMOs. Reliance on these synthetics
reduces the ability of the vine to absorb nutrients
from the soil, leaving it susceptible to disease.
Over time, these chemicals kill the soil and the
environment.
-
Employs a series of eight herbal-based preparations
applied to the soil in order to promote soil vitality
through increased microbiologic activity and diversity
(think of these as vitamins for the plant and soil).
The more nutrient-rich and biologically diverse the
soils, the more character in the wine.
-
Uses cover crops and companion plants to maximize
the health of the vineyard environment.
-
Promotes pest control through soil management; Biodynamic
sprays and teas; crop rotations and diversification;
and the encouragement of diverse animal, bird and
insect populations that lead to self-regulating predator
and prey relationships.
-
Aligns vineyard practices (planting, pruning, etc.)
with the earth's natural cycles (lunar, seasonal)
for maximum health and development of the vines.
What Others Are Saying About Biodynamics
Renowned winemaker Michel Rolland declares: "The
future
will be Biodynamic."
Wine critic Robert
M. Parker
Jr. says he is "certain
of the
quality of the products
emanating
from
several
of the domaines
practicing
Biodynamic viticulture."
Anne-Claude Laflaive, manager of the prestigious
Domaine Leflaive's Burgundy vineyards, maintains
that Biodynamics has improved the quality of her
vines and wines.
"
Biodynamics is the aikido or ashtanga yoga of winegrowing
-- a way to focus energy and awareness for peak performance
and exceptional health. Sick vineyards need homeopathy;
biodynamic vineyards radiate a vigor that can be
felt. Like Barry Bonds turning a 100-mph fastball
into a soaring arc headed for McCovey Cove, biodynamic
vineyards are completely aligned with their purpose,
and therefore able to channel all the forces of the
moment into a powerful result." - Thom Elkjer, "Cutting-edge
vintners put their wines to a taste test ",
San Francisco
Chronicle
, July
1, 2004 |