May 2011 Wine Club Newsletter

"Biodynamic Agriculture" by Teena Hildebrand
 
"The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it..."    Psalm 24:1
 
Since acquiring our land in 2000 we have yearned to steward it with integrity and passion. After all, who in their right mind would sell a zero lot-line, patio home near the beach and move everything to a 91-acre parcel with nothing on it but native grass, weeds, Ponderosa pine, oak & cedar?
 
How we view this land today is dramatically different from the view we had 11 years ago when we drove up the driveway in two self-packed U-Hauls: one full of wine collected over the years and a 30 gallon barrel of home made zinfandel and the other with ruined furniture. With a 3 & 7 year old in tow & all our "stuff" we arrived.
 
The vineyard is now roughly 10 years old. After several years of traditional farming practices and the influence of close friends, Phillip and Mary Hart, who, in 2003, started Ambyth Estates, the first certified Biodynamic® vineyard and winery in Paso Robles, things began to change.  As Frank & Phillip shared ideas, debated traditional vs. Biodynamic farming practices and site specific challenges, they frequently walked each other's vineyards and came to the same conclusion, that with commitment, perseverance, and a long term perspective, Biodynamic farming can only be good - safely and effectively restoring life & vitality to the soils, the vines, the farmer, and the environment.
 
In 2008, Frank began to immerse himself in the study and application of this natural, healthy, organic, and safe farming method that's been resurfacing from its European roots since the 1900's. After a three year required transition and guidance from the Demeter agency, the only certifier of Biodynamic farms & products in the world, we were granted the designation of Certified Biodynamic® in February 2011.  Here are some basics to help you understand more:

BIODYNAMIC AGRICULTURE - FOUR BASIC PRINCIPLES*
 
1. Create a closed system of nutrients and natural resources base to the greatest practical extent. Become aware of the waste stream and capture and transform it into a fertility stream. Example: Our fertilizer consists of 50 tons of compost integrated into our soils post harvest.
 
2. Creating biodiversity on the property. Monoculture undermines a property's ability to resist adversity. Balance the success of various life forms in an ecosystem so outbreaks of disease are generally held in check. Example: We plant rose clover and buckwheat along with wild flowers in our tractor rows to attract beneficial insects and crowd out unwanted weeds.
 
3. The preparations consist of two field sprays (one on the soil and one foliar) and six compost preps. These support and maintain life forces. Life comes from life. However, life loses vitality and loses the ability to bring forth life. The preps aren't fertilizers, but they are supportive of life processes such as sprouting, growing, flowering and fruiting. Example: One of the field sprays consists of silica which attracts and reflects sunlight and solar energy to enhance the plants ability to photosynthesize.
 
4. Promotion of a holistic system that focuses on the interaction of all living things. We try to avoid acting against a specific problem, because when we do so, we produce unintended consequences. Instead, we try to work towards enhancing the robustness and health of the whole environment for the benefit of the whole ecology. Example: We don't use poisons, herbicides or systemics.
 
*Extracted from a UC Davis sponsored debate with Alan York, recognized international expert on Biodynamic farming, lecturer and author.
 
 
We look forward to seeing you and sharing more adventures in the vineyard and the wines we grow!
 
All the best!
 
Frank & Teena Hildebrand