Biodynamic Wine
In short, biodynamic or (biodynamique in France) is a very holistic approach to organic farming (viticulture) guided by cosmic forces to be as self-sufficient as possible.
Biodynamic views the vineyard as a self-sustaining entity within the surrounding ecosystem. It places emphasis on all living organisms – plants, animals, birds, bugs – as being part of the farm’s success. Therefore pesticides, herbicides or synthetic fertilizers are prohibited. Instead a biodynamic winery relies on manure, crop rotations, and biological pest control to put nutrients back into the soil and protect the vineyard from predators. This is very similar to an organically grown vineyard.
Where biodynamic and organic differ is the value placed on cosmic influences in the success of a winery and the vineyards. 
Wineries utilize the Stella Natura Biodynamic agricultural calendar to consider the cosmic rhythms as guides for when to prune, plant, or dig. The cosmic influences have also established homeopathic-like preparations and sprays to enhance and regulate plant growth, compost production, and soil fertility. The preparations, sprays and regulations very slightly with biodynamic vineyards as compared to their organic counter parts.
To best explain biodynamic envision Newton’s cradle, the desktop toy with 5 balls on a pendulum, that when you pull back one and release it demonstrates momentum and energy. If one is pulled back and released it transfers energy through the others to the last ball which swings out to a point then swings back and transfers its energy back though to the first and so forth, creating a rhythm.
A biodynamic vineyard is similar to Newton’s cradle, one that forms a natural biological rhythm. Think of the first ball as the vineyard, the second as the region, the third as earth, the fourth as the solar system and the fifth as the universe, each transferring their energy back and forth in rhythm.
Biodynamic farming is the ongoing study of the biological rhythms (transfer of energy from ball to ball) and their effects on the vineyard. At the point of crash, when the first ball is released and transfers its energy to the second ball, a biodynamic farmer over time calculates and fine tunes the best methods through the use of their own natural resources to be in rhythm with the universe. Once in rhythm, the vineyard is efficient and productive. When non-native resources are applied to the vineyard or at improper times the biological rhythm is thrown out of sync, such as releasing one ball from each end causing Newton’s cradle to crash and stop swinging in rhythm.
The underlying principle of biodynamic farming was established in a series of eight lectures by Dr. Rudolf Steiner in June 1924, founder of anthroposophy. It was later refined in the United States by Dr. Pfeifer and further refined in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s by Alan Chadwick. Chadwick developed the method into the Biodynamic French Intensive method of horticulture and established a research/demonstration farm at the University of California at Santa Cruz.
Related Websites
For more information on Dr. Rudolf Steiner and his writings, please click here.
For more information on Alan Chadwick, please click here.
For more information on Stella Natura Biodynamic, please click here.
For more information on biodynamic farming and gardening, please click here.
Current releases of wines produced from biodynamic vineyards
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