Since the early 1980's, we have been importing a delicious Côtes-du-Rhône red wine from our friend Dominique Pons. His Domaine des Cèdres is produced biodynamically. We have recently added Château Romanin from Provence and a Muscadet from Guy Bossard.Like organic farming, biodynamic growers emphasize establishing healthy soil. Often, biodynamic farmers use homeopathic herbal-based compost starters and field sprays as well as stringent vinification processes. This ultra-organic method of agriculture, developed in the early part of this century, is based on the theories of Rudolf Steiner. A social philosopher, Steiner proposed that the development of plants (and animals) was more than simply the flow of matter. Development, he believed, was also a flow of chemical energy that radiated from the moon, stars, and planets and that was derived from the breakdown of organic matter. According to Steiner, the position of the moon and the stars within certain constellations influenced the growth of leaves, roots, flowers, and fruit. Biodynamic farmers plant their crops accordingly. They employ various methods for nourishing the soil, as do organic grape growers. However, biodynamic growers put a greater emphasis on the vines; and since they believe that plants respond to all the various forces of nature, they also time their activities in accordance with the cycles of the moon, planets and stars.
In short, the goal of biodynamic farming is to be in tune with the totality of life forces affecting the growth of the plant.
