In Vino Veritas > The choice of Biodynamics

Domaine Weinbach started using biodynamical methods in 1998 on 8 out of 25 hectares. The other 17 hectares were cultivated organically.

Since the 2005 vintage, all the Domaine's vineyards are taken care of biodynamically. We are in official "conversion" and our production will be granted both the "organic/biologique" Ecocert certification and the "biodynamics/biodynamie" Demeter certification in 2010.

 

Biodynamics is a farming philosophy formalized by the Austrian born philosopher and scientist Rudolf Steiner in the 1920's and developed by Maria Thun.

It takes organic viticulture as a beginning: the soils are worked and no synthetic chemicals are used as fertilizers or pesticides. It goes farther then organics in the sense that it considers a vineyard as a living organism. The soil (the earth is viewed as the mother) is not a simple support for the vine but a living environment and a source of energy as much as its outdoor environment is (the sun is the father).

The primary principle is to upgrade the soil and the vine life in its natural environment and increase the natural defences/resistance of the vine with the use of products made from vegetal (nettle, willow, horsetail, camomile, achillea,…), animal (manure, compost) and mineral (silica) origins.

Secondly, the application of these products and the working of the soils at specific times according to the sun and moon cycles are also key, there lies the "dynamic" part.

The goal is to achieve harmonious life conditions and better exchanges between the soil, the plant (including root and foliage systems) and its environment based on:

  • better soil quality thanks to the presence of a greater quantity and variety of bio organisms (bacteria, fungus, worms,…) otherwise killed by herbicides and the absence of oxygen getting into the soil;
  • deeper, thicker and healthier roots favoured by the work of the soil;
  • better development of leaves and flowers (more efficient photosynthesis).

The better exchanges that take place enable the soil and climate characteristics to be transferred to the grapes, increasing the quality of their flavours and the expression of the terroirs.

For us, biodynamic viticulture means respect of the environment, respect of the terroirs and of the grapes. A viticulture that respects life allows not only the vintage climate and the grape varieties but above all the terroirs to express themselves in the wines.

The benefits of biodynamics were never as obvious as in 2003 (extremely hot and dry vintage). During that year, the vines resisted incredibly well and the wines showed a natural balance and a surprising freshness.

Biodynamics may look esoteric. Yet it is easy to relate to homeopathy for humans. It also involves a great deal of good sense based on traditional peasant practices that were being lost in the new industrial world. It is interesting to note that our grandmother used some of the now fancily called biodynamic methods as well as the "astral" calendar to take care of her garden.

To conclude: The main motivation is to increase soil activity and thus stimulate soil/root/aerial system exchanges with the objective of producing better quality, terroir driven and aromatically complex grapes and wines. Biodynamics helps us care for and protect our vines not only for now but also for future generations.

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