Biodynamic WineBiodynamic methods used in the vineyard and winery are based on Rudolph Steiner and Maria Thun’s work. Essentially, using organic practices but incorporating philosophy and cosmology. It looks at the farm as a working organism that works with the lunar cycles and supports building biodiversity within ecosystems. All of the wines we sell are classified as “biodynamically farmed” as a minimum standard, this means the vineyard uses biodynamic and organic practices but without formal certification.

Biodynamic uses organic farming methods; growing grapes without using synthetic chemicals. It stretches the ethos to the vineyard being seen as an entire ecosystem, farming is symbiotic with the land and encourages soil microbial activity and ecosystems with the vineyard, removing monoculture farming. Planting, harvesting and general practices are completed with the lunar calendar. Once seen as a controversial way of farming, it is now recognised for its efficacy in high-quality produce.

Rudolph Steiner, an Austrian philosopher, started the concept of Biodynamics. He believed it was a homoeopathic way of farming. He described nine methods necessary for biodynamic farming, ranging from using cow manure to implementing medicinal plants such as chamomile, dandelions and valerian flower juice. Unique methods of the biodynamic approach include its treatment of soil, ‘Preparations’ will be applied at certain times of the month or at particular times of the year. Involving only natural ingredients in supplying the nutrients and elements needed to fertilise the soil and specially prepared homoeopathic remedies are used to treat vineyard diseases and pests. Furthermore, crops and animals are seen as a single system which needs to be encouraged to work together rather than eliminate a species. Biodynamic farming considers astrological and lunar cycles when it comes to activities such as sowing, planting and harvesting. The lunar patterns are the gravitational pull that the moon has on the earth, specifically the tides which can have a significant impact on the growth of plants and organisms. Believing that there is a clear link between the moon and the growth of plant life, biodynamic farmers will prune their vines and bottle their wine in line with lunar patterns.

The conversion to biodynamics generally takes about two years, which can be a long and frustrating few years but ultimately pays off. Many of the most renowned vineyards in the World have led the way in converting to farming biodynamically, which is now encouraging vineyards around the World to follow suit. Some of the most iconic producers are now either certified or in the process of converting. A few great examples of these are Domaine Romanee Conti, a Burgundy wine that sells upwards of £3,000, Château Beaucastel, a premium Châteauneuf du Pape at £60+, and the critically acclaimed Australian winemaker Henschke. Here at Wanderlust Wine, we are proud to have many Biodynamically certified producers, such as Haut-Bâges Liberal, Château Durfort-Vivens, and Tenuta Lenzini to name a few. 

Demeter, the body which certifies vineyards as Biodynamic, is named after the Greek goddess of the harvest; the orange Demeter label is the international logo used for certified biodynamic products. Founded in 1928, Demeter is the World’s first ecological trademark. Used in over 60 countries, Demeter certification verifies that biodynamic products meet international standards in the production and processing of sustainable food and wine regulated in the UK by the Biodynamic Agriculture Association (BDA), Demeter biodynamic standards build on EU organic standards.

Here at Wanderlust Wine, we have over one hundred wines, which are certified biodynamic and many more that are farmed biodynamically, which means they follow the procedures of farming but are not certified or could be in the transition of becoming certified. Set up to offer sustainable, quality wine made by small producers with honesty and love. As a result, all the wines we sell are organically farmed, organic or biodynamically certified sourced directly from winemakers with an abundance of different styles, regions and grape varieties. 

‘Biodynamics take ideals and ethics into practical reality, respecting ecology, culture and tradition of a place. This is agriculture as a collaboration between human beings and nature in which both can flourish.’ – Demeter