Among the various "natural" and organic approaches, biodynamic farming stands out for its consideration of astrological influences and the cycles of nature, and its use of herbal preparations of a homoeopathic nature, aimed at rebalancing and revitalizing plant growth, rather than treating diseases.

PREPARATIONS

These are made from processed plant, animal and mineral matter:

MT manure compost supports and strengthens the soil's decomposition process. It contains all the elements that help form the clay-humus complex. These include a considerable variety and number of bacteria.

Preparation 500, cow horn manure, acts on the plant. It strengthens life beneath the ground. Its effectiveness has been confirmed after numerous trials: roots are longer, denser and better distributed.

Preparation 501, horn silica, helps with leaf development, balanced flowering and the energy necessary for healthy, bountiful fruiting.

These first three must undergo dynamisation before spreading.

The other preparations, developed from yarrow, camomile, nettles, oak bark, dandelion and valerian, all involve some sort of transformation process - such as fermentation with animal organs - which boost their primary properties by transforming them into humus with specific qualities.

These are indispensable, being used in the production of composts to direct the fermentation, creating balance and harmony in the soil and the plant.

THE TERRESTRIAL AND LUNAR CYCLES

The solar cycles, made up of the day and night, and the seasons, and the lunar cycles are familiar to us. Experiments carried out by Maria Thun more than ten years ago have enabled the observation of cosmic influences on plant growth.

These seem to be linked to the positions of the moon, sun and planets in relation to other constellations.

A calendar, based on her observations, has been established. Work and treatments in the vineyard can be enhanced by the choice of the date on which they are carried out.

HOEING

Hoeing stimulates vital processes by working the soil at different times of the year, month or even day.

Hoeing according to the phases of the moon will have a different effect in the spring or autumn. Hoeing in the morning stimulates plants, while hoeing in the afternoon helps to keep water in the soil...

It is the winegrower who has to decide the appropriate hoeing and ploughing operations, according to the soil.

A wine producing property, like any other agricultural property, is considered to be a living organism. The cultivated soil is not simply a medium for the vines but a living environment, and a source of energy for the plant just like its environment above the ground.

In this way the vine - a median organism - creates and nourishes the terroir in this inhabited, living environment which surrounds the roots. These exchanges between the biology of the soil and the root and leaf system enable the expression of the terroir in the grapes. The flavours are enhanced.

Very elaborate techniques are required in viticulture in order to compensate for the risk of imbalance in this monoculture.

Sources : Biodyvin

Sustainable winegrowing is a comprehensive set of practices that are environmentally sound, socially equitable and economically viable. Sustainable winegrowing is being used by winegrowers to grow and make high quality grapes and wine. These sustainable vineyard and winery practices conserve water and energy, maintain healthy soil, protect air and water quality, enhance relations with employees and communities, preserve local ecosystems and wildlife habitat, and improve the economic vitality of vineyards and wineries.