Dynamic wine making, is Bio-dynamic Wine Making
Biodynamics - Picture: Montinore Estate
The untamed look, of a few Willamette Valley wineries is evidence of their commitment to a discipline called, biodynamics
In modern days, biodynamics shares a foundation with the organic movement.
However, while organics shares the biological agriculture background and methods, it stops short of the dynamic processes, or life force of the farm.
For within a fully sustainable farm, there is a circle of life processes, which are distinct, yet completely inter twined with the whole.
Biodynamics recognizes and responds to the life force of the living farm, considering the farm a living organism.
The untamed look, of a few Willamette Valley wineries is evidence of their commitment to a discipline called, biodynamics
In modern days, biodynamics shares a foundation with the organic movement.
However, while organics shares the biological agriculture background and methods, it stops short of the dynamic processes, or life force of the farm.
For within a fully sustainable farm, there is a circle of life processes, which are distinct, yet completely inter twined with the whole.
Biodynamics recognizes and responds to the life force of the living farm, considering the farm a living organism.
...In Oregon, many vineyards are synonymous with high quality wines. They can thank, biodynamic practices for its life. We walked through the vineyard’s vigorous rows, showing healthy grape development and canopy, but told of several years ago when it was unhealthy and struggling. They'd been farming it organically since 1999, but organic was not enough. Only after they brought in a biodynamic expert in 2005, did the vineyard return to the quality that first made it famous. Unlike organic agriculture, which simply aims to avoid synthetic products, biodynamic agriculture, works to actively heal, to make the soil even healthier than it was when you began...
Bio-Dynamic wine making is the only agricultural system, that doesn’t deplete, or take anything away from the soils, and the oldest natural farming system in existence. Everything is done in harmony with the moon and stars, and can have mystical elements. For example, one of the principles involves, smooshing manure, into a cow horn, and burying it.
As a living organism, a Biodynamic farm should be self-sustaining. Therefore, the goal of any Biodynamic farm is to reduce the amount of outside inputs, and eventually eliminate the need all together. This is especially important with wine, as the maintenance of a unique sense of place, is essential in maintaining the vineyard’s sense of terroir (tehr-wahr).
In Biodynamic farming, each farm has its own individuality and character. The farmer is part of that equation, leading the farm in the right direction. Integration of livestock, creating new pastures, thinning of the forest, introducing insectory plants to enhance the well-being and food supply for beneficial insects, introducing wild life and recycling nutrients are all important parts of their task.
Here are some of the ways the wineries Practice Sustainable Farming
Set aside acreage for wildlife habitat, to promote biodiversity.
Use leaf removal and canopy management, to reduce insect pests and disease, as well as enhance the character and balance in the grapes, by improving sunlight and air penetration.
Plant cover crops, and add organic matter, to naturally replenish the soil with nitrogen, and increase diversity of flora and fauna, while preventing erosion.
Add silica and Horsetail preps, to stimulate photosynthesis, and fight mold and mildew, respectively.
Use a biodiesel fuel blend in farm equipment.
In the winery, says Rudy Marchesi of Montinore Estate, making wine with bio-dynamic grapes, requires a light touch, including using only native yeasts in the fermenters, and natural secondary fermentations, in oak barrels.
Video
Some wineries which practice this farming method, in whole, or in part include:
See who's doing what in the Oregon Bio-dynamic world.
As a living organism, a Biodynamic farm should be self-sustaining. Therefore, the goal of any Biodynamic farm is to reduce the amount of outside inputs, and eventually eliminate the need all together. This is especially important with wine, as the maintenance of a unique sense of place, is essential in maintaining the vineyard’s sense of terroir (tehr-wahr).
In Biodynamic farming, each farm has its own individuality and character. The farmer is part of that equation, leading the farm in the right direction. Integration of livestock, creating new pastures, thinning of the forest, introducing insectory plants to enhance the well-being and food supply for beneficial insects, introducing wild life and recycling nutrients are all important parts of their task.
Here are some of the ways the wineries Practice Sustainable Farming
Set aside acreage for wildlife habitat, to promote biodiversity.
Use leaf removal and canopy management, to reduce insect pests and disease, as well as enhance the character and balance in the grapes, by improving sunlight and air penetration.
Plant cover crops, and add organic matter, to naturally replenish the soil with nitrogen, and increase diversity of flora and fauna, while preventing erosion.
Add silica and Horsetail preps, to stimulate photosynthesis, and fight mold and mildew, respectively.
Use a biodiesel fuel blend in farm equipment.
In the winery, says Rudy Marchesi of Montinore Estate, making wine with bio-dynamic grapes, requires a light touch, including using only native yeasts in the fermenters, and natural secondary fermentations, in oak barrels.
Video
Some wineries which practice this farming method, in whole, or in part include:
- Brick House
- Maysara
- Bergstrom
- Montinore
- Rex Hill
- 4 Graces
- Brooks
- Lachini
- Keeler
- Soter
- Holloran
See who's doing what in the Oregon Bio-dynamic world.