Biodynamics

Biodynamics.  It's a term that gets thrown around, somewhat like organic.  When people ask me what is biodynamic and furthermore, what is a biodynamic wine, it's a little like trying to explain the theory of life, literally. Intricacy, celestial awareness, spirituality, energy, forces, organics, time, effort, sweat, and constant learning and adjustment are all integral parts of the process.

Rudolf Steiner delivered the "concept" of preparations that are a cornerstone to "biod" philosophy (we'll discuss those at a later time) in 1923 and since then this movement has seen it's fair share of followers, albeit not bathing in any sort of spotlight until recently.  Many of the preparations are a recent practice that any follower will iterate you receive your time/money back in spades after six years or so, worries decrease and the process walks a smoother path not without its bumps.  Think energy-efficient light bulbs...  How simple was the food chain thousands of years ago; it just worked.  It was sustainable and flowed via nature's course. 

True biodynamic farming involves constantly planning for the future.  Here at Burn Cottage Vineyard, the plan stretches out at least 25 years.  Why wouldn't you plan ahead?  How many of you have 401K?  If you were relying on pesticides and other unhealthy remedies you would expect immediate gratification after spraying and applying; Why do you think many industrial farmers/seed companies are constantly coming up with new applications/seed for higher yields or to solve various complications?  Many industrial farmers exhaust all options to solve a crisis on their farm and later, consult the biodynamic farmer stating, "I've tried everything, what can I do to resolve 'x'?".  

The celestial concepts however, have been used by our ancestors millennia before there were sprays, fungicides, pesticides, and pills for our plants that in the end we ingest.   Planting according to the lunar calendar only made sense and people were eating well, sufficiently, and sustainably.  That's what biodynamics is all about, healthy soil and animals, good energy, sustainability and in the end, a better you and your homeys (as cheesy as that sounds).  As a friend and co-worker in the business states, "It's what makes organic farming actually work."  

As odd as this thought is, wine becomes almost an afterthought, a bi-product of the biodynamic process.  Waste not want not.