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Biodynamic Farming
Biodynamics maintains that nature is very powerful... if you let it reign.
Biodynamic farming is no small undertaking. It's time consuming, expensive - and, at times, more than a little unusual. So why do we do it? Over time, we have discovered that biodynamic farming techniques produce the most authentic, regionally-expressive wines possible. And crafting this style of wine is our ultimate goal.
Biodynamic farming is a peculiar dichotomy of scientific and spiritual principles. When applying these principles to winemaking, we find these things to be true:
- The best wines come from the most authentic expression of the vineyard - the backbone of the French concept of terroir.
- Terroir will best be expressed in a truly healthy vineyard; one active with life and in balance with its surroundings.
- To continue growing exceptional grapes year after year, we must strike a balance with our surroundings - the creek, the river, the neighbors and the animals. This can only be done by taking care of the land.
The core of biodynamics is creating the healthiest soil possible. Following this farming discipline, the soil in our vineyards is closely (bordering on obsessively) monitored, ensuring that it is teaming with natural, healthy microbiotic life. Balance is essential: if we take something out, we put something back in. We feed the microbiotic life with natural, time-tested techniques. Everything we do in the vineyards is a testament to the fact that the earth under our feet is just as alive as the vines above ground.
Biodynamics is a farming discipline steeped in science and proven over hundreds of years. It is the opposite of modern corporate agriculture, which has spent years destroying wine country with chemical shortcuts that have upset the natural equilibrium of vineyards. Planting acres upon acres of vine rows is not a natural act.
Our winery estate offers far more than just vine rows. It is a self-sustaining system that includes vineyards, compost piles, chicken coops and vegetable gardens. We live in balance with the creeks that border the estate. We farm within our own constraints and boundaries - which limits production, but improves quality and character.
The spiritual side of biodynamics is a bit more difficult to grasp. The originator of biodynamics, Rudolf Steiner, proposed many techniques well outside the realm of proven science. The mystical side of biodynamics includes making fertilizer preparations during certain moon phases, stirring in different directions at different times, applying the organic matter of cow horns in the vineyards, burying cow horns in our organic garden beds.
Although these types of farming techniques have been around for centuries - from 15th century Italian farms to 17th century Native American garden plots - in these modern times it is harder to allow for the unexplained. Yet we see the results every day out in the vineyards, as vines strengthen and thrive using these techniques.
Whether focusing on the scientific or spiritual side of biodynamics, in the end what matters are the roots - and the health of the soil on which they depend. Biodynamic roots are considerably deeper and have twice as much root hair mass as vines in vineyards farmed with other techniques. With extensive root development and vibrant soils teaming with microbiotic life, the vine is able to draw up the essence of the site - delivering the character of the terroir into the fruit at a level that non-biodynamic vines are unable to achieve.
So the end result of biodynamic farming is a pure expression of the vineyard site in the resulting wines. Earthy, vibrant and rich with character, you will find that Quivira wines deliver one of the most authentic wine drinking experiences you can find anywhere.
VEGETABLES GROWING IN THE QUIVIRA ESTATE GARDENS.
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