Philosophy of the vineyard

The biodynamic viticulture is a holistic, regenerative and positive form of organic viticulture.

It is a viticulture that takes a new look at Nature, for a more autonomous and diversified culture where the Earth is considered as a living organism in its own rights. Biodynamics takes into account the natural cycles that order life on Earth, such as the lunar and solar cycles, in order to optimize viticultural work and product quality.

Biodynamics relies on all the intelligence and strength of Nature to accompany Man towards the purest harmony with his environment, plants and animals.

It is based on the principle of regeneration of soils and plants but also on food quality. Through the use of composts and preparations based on medicinal plants, silica and cow dung, biodynamics increases the fertility and biodiversity of soils, especially their humus content.

It supports plants in their development and strengthens their immunity. The use of biodynamic preparations promotes the production of foods of greater vitality, which express all the typicity and flavors of their terroir. Biodynamics intimately links man to nature and allows him to become a positive actor, who acts concretely for the good of the Earth and Men.

The lunar calendar

In biodynamics we really take into account the lunar calendar for the cultivation fo the plants and more specifically, we are careful about the three different cycles that are explained bellow.

Rising and falling moon:

In the rising phase, plant growth and resistance are strengthened. This is the ideal time to plant, sow or transplant plants, fruits or seeds. We must take the opportunity to treat diseases.

In falling phase, plants show a decrease in vitality. It is necessary to take advantage of this to work the soil, graft, bring fertilizers and take care of the plants that must not go to seed.

Waxing and waning moon:

When the moon seems higher and higher in relation to the horizon, it is said to be waxing. If it appears lower and lower, it is said to be waning. In the waxing phase, the plants benefit from an influx of sap towards their aerial extremities. We must take advantage of this to sow and graft. In the waning phase, plant activity is concentrated in the soil. This is a good time to transplant, plant, prune, cuttings and provide nutrients.

Apogee and perigee: When the moon is furthest from the Earth, it is at its apogee. When she's closest, she's at her perigee. In both cases, one must be wary of lunar influxes that prove to be harmful or contradictory.

Without being obsessed with the lunar calendar, some work is done systematically under certain conditions. If you think about it, certain works such as plowing and topping according to the lunar rhythms we can easily gain whole days of work of tractor which generate pollutions for the vine. In addition, for all bottling work, we favor quiet periods. That is to say, lunar autumns when the moon descends or peak days when the lunar attraction is weak.

Lunar eclipses and knots: The Moon cuts the earth's plane of rotation around the sun twice in 27 days. These lunar nodes have an adverse influence on all gardening work.

Flower days: The Moon passes in front of the constellations of Aquarius, Libra or Gemini. These days are favourable for the maintenance as well as the planting of flowering plants and flowering vegetables.

Leaf days: The Moon passes in front of the constellations of Cancer, Scorpio or Pisces. Take care of herbs, grass, foliage plants and leafy vegetables.

Fruit days: The Moon passes in front of the constellations of Sagittarius, Aries and Leo. These days are favourable for the maintenance and planting of fruit trees and fruiting vegetables.

Root days: The Moon passes in front of the constellations of Capricorn, Virgo or Taurus. These days are favourable for all kinds of soil work and for the gardening of bulbs and root vegetables.

Biodynamic preparations

Preparations play a fundamental role in biodynamics since they optimise composting, stimulate soil life, strengthen plants and the quality of agricultural products. The preparations are a precious help to accompany in an optimal way the development of the plants and the good functioning of the vineyard in general.

The majority of preparations are made from medicinal plants, which are either of mineral (horn silica for preparation 501) or organic (cow dung for preparation 500) origin. They are dynamised and then sprayed on the vines.

SPRAY PREPARATIONS

Preparation 500 (horn dung) is sprayed on the soil. It participates in the development of the humus layer and particularly promotes soil fertility and biodiversity.
Preparation 501 (horn silica) acts as a complement to the horn dung and is sprayed on the aerial part of the plants. It accompanies the development of the plant and has a beneficial action on the food quality of the products.

COMPOST PREPARATIONS

Preparation 502 (yarrow yarrow) has an action on the mobility of sulphur and potash.
Preparation 503 (chamomile matricaria) stimulates plant growth and fortifies plants.
Preparation 504 (nettle) promotes good humification.
Preparation 505 (oak bark) enhances plant immunity to disease.
Preparation 506 (dandelion) has a special effect on potash, limestone and nitrogen processes.
The preparation 507 (valerian) has an action on the mobility of phosphorus and an important anti-stress action.

Our program for the application of the preparations depends on the season and the vintage, according to the pluviometry and the sunshine. It is considered as exact as possible each year. In general, there are two applications for the preparation 500 (horn purse), one after the harvest and the next just in early spring. It is essentially on the preparation 501 that the conditions and applications vary depending on the weather. The more the sun, the more the year is dry and the less preparation 501 will be used. Vice versa, the more rainfall will be and the more the light will be lacking, then the more we can apply preparation 501.