Fighting the Factory Farms

Biodynamics are guidelines for sustainable agriculture in an Industrial Revolution world. It began as part of a movement in the early 1900s that was an answer to destructive factory farming. The idea came about when a group of concerned farmers connected with Rudolph Steiner, a philosopher whose life mission was to synthesize science and spirituality. In the last year of his life (1924), Steiner gave a series of private lectures on Biodynamics. These theories were tested by his community for many years, and what worked was published in Ehrenfried Pfeiffer’s 1938 book on Biodynamics.

Though over a hundred years later the movement remains controversial, as it is more an adoption of a philosophy than an application of science, practitioners insist that biodynamic farms have healthier internal ecosystems, increasing their sustainability and producing healthier plant and animal products.

Many biodynamic wines stand out, and many people swear by them. (They are one of the foci of our store.) Whether their quality is due to their biodynamically grown grapes or to the fact that any grower/vintner who takes the time and care to biodynamically farm is likely to also take extra time and care in their winemaking is unclear. What is clear is good wine when we find it, and we are pleased to offer those wines to you.

This Wine Wednesday, join guest pourer Michael Smith from distributer Native Selections for this free walk-up tasting to taste some biodynamic wines.