The Art of the Biodynamic Vineyard

When you see the words ‘organic’ and ‘biodynamic’ on your wine bottle, are you aware of the unique, natural practices that are involved for an organic or biodynamic vineyard to be awarded those labels? When it comes to wine, being labeled organic means the grapes were grown without the use of herbicides, fungicides, pesticides or fertilizers made of chemicals. In addition, the grapes are grown in organic soil, without the addition of sulfites and with little or no manipulative winemaking techniques such as flavor additives, excessive filtration or reverse osmosis. These days most people are fairly familiar with the term ‘organic’, but what about the term ‘biodynamic’? Is there a huge difference between organic and biodynamic wine?

What is Biodynamic?

Biodynamics is thought to be a spiritual and practical philosophy born from Anthroposophy, a spiritual philosophy coined by Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925). While it may be a spiritual philosophy, it is quickly becoming known as the highest practice in environmental and agricultural standards. There is 3-year transition required for a farm to be labeled biodynamic, and Demeter® USA is the only United States certification agent that can certifiably deliver the label.  There are thought to be nearly 500 biodynamic vineyards worldwide.

Biodynamic winemaking (also known as biodynamic viticulture) takes organic practices to a whole new level. Not only are biodynamic wines organic, biodynamics take the surrounding environment and ecology, the winemakers, homeopathic preparations, astronomy, and oftentimes astrology into consideration. To be considered a biodynamic vineyard, the vineyard must view the entire farm as a self-sufficient living organism by providing healthy biological diversity, avoiding pest species, keep recycled organic matter in the farming systems, and base their wholistic farming practices on the living dynamics of nature.

Biodynamic Vineyard Practices

A biodynamic vineyard is usually a peaceful vineyard; winemakers develop a strong intuitive connection to the land through observing the land, walking the vineyard, anticipating any problems that may occur, and eliminating those problems with a nature-based solution. Biodynamic vineyards, although based on self-regulating systems, are not without a lot of work. Capturing the essence of a living environment in a bottle of wine is no small task.

Wetlands, gardens, insectories, riparian areas, olive groves, orchards, and other natural, self-regulating systems provide the biodiversity needed to maintain a healthy biodynamic vineyard, and these systems need as much love, attention, and care as the grapes themselves. These systems provide diverse populations of insects, birds, plants and animals that promote pest control through natural relationships of predator and prey. Pest control is also promoted through strict soil management by crop rotations and diversification, and biodynamic sprays and teas that promote soil vitality. There are eight herbal preparations using herbs such as oak bark, dandelion, stinging nettle and chamomile that are applied to the soil in biodynamic farming to increase microbiologic activity and nutrients in the soil.

Biodynamic vineyards also use natural means for crop fertility, such as the herbal preparations, manures and composting. Most composting is naturally produced by the farm through recycling that creates microbe-rich compost for the vines. In addition, a biodynamic vineyard takes the earth’s natural solar, lunar and seasonal cycles into consideration for planting, pruning, harvesting and dormancy. This respect for the earth’s natural rhythms offers the plant an intimate connection with the surrounding environment and allows it to express unique flavors that are particular to their vintage.

Delicious, Wholistic, Biodynamic Wines

While a biodynamic vineyard is a self-sustaining living organism that is run by wholistic care and natural systems, there is another huge difference in biodynamic wines: flavor.

According to biodynamic winegrowers and winemakers, the more connected winemakers, vineyards and vines are to the earth, sun, moon, and seasons, the more aroma, distinct flavor, and uniqueness will be expressed in the wine. Biodynamic winegrowers are proud of their vibrant flavors, textures, and aromas that make them stand above conventionally-made wines, even in taste tests and studies. For them, winegrowing is an art that requires a spiritual connection, fastidious attention to detail, love of the land, and love of artful wine.