# Applied Biodynamics — Issue 071 (Winter 2010–2011) **By JPI Admin** · 2025-12-31 Issue 071 brings two major biodynamic developments together: Grgich Hills Estate’s full-vineyard conversion in Napa Valley and Hugh Courtney’s confident, practice-based account of the compound preparations that make large-scale soil renewal possible. The issue shows biodynamics working through staged adoption, laboratory measurements, farm-made preparations, sensory judgment, deep rooting, humus formation, and long-lived vines. ## Biodynamics Taking Root in Napa Valley Grgich Hills began with 20 biodynamic acres in 2003, expanded to roughly 100 acres the next year and 260 the following year, and managed all 366 vineyard acres biodynamically by 2006. Ivo Jeramaz and vineyard manager Joey Brinkley built a system around daily vineyard presence, annual compost from grape pomace, regular preparation use, and dedicated staff who could give the work sustained attention. Preparation making also matured in stages. The estate first made **[BD 501 Horn Silica](https://go.jpibd.org/product-bd-501)**, then **[BD 500 Horn Manure](https://go.jpibd.org/product-bd-500)**, and gradually all nine preparations after a 2004 JPI workshop. This is a strong model for conversion: establish meaningful acreage, learn the spray program, build storage and application capacity, and bring preparation making home as skill and staffing grow. ## A Measured Field-and-Cellar Trial In 2007 Grgich applied **[Pfeiffer Field and Garden Spray](https://go.jpibd.org/product-pfeiffer-spray)** to 50 acres alongside a 50-acre comparison. Because dependable wine fermentation needs about 150–200 ppm yeast-assimilable nitrogen, the winery tested juice from each block. Six blocks had been near 150 ppm; after the trial, five rose to about 200 ppm. That result gave the estate a clear, laboratory-measured response. The 2008 application covered all 366 acres during a season with no rain from February to harvest and weak cover-crop growth. Jeramaz’s practical conclusion is positive and specific: Pfeiffer Field and Garden Spray is especially valuable where soil moisture and cover crops are strong enough to support it, and the sprayed cover crop can be incorporated the next day. JPI’s **[current instructions](https://go.jpibd.org/instructions-pfeiffer-spray)** support that timing. Across the whole biodynamic program, Jeramaz saw healthier soil and vines, deeper rooting, stronger coexistence with pests, outstanding establishment of young plants, and wines with greater personality and sense of place. The estate’s 50-year-old vines remained vigorous in a region where vineyards were commonly replaced after about 17 years. For him, that longevity and vitality were the clearest achievement. ## Three Compound-Preparation Pathways Courtney explains why Maria Thun’s Barrel Compound, Alex Podolinsky’s Prepared 500, and Ehrenfried Pfeiffer’s products arose in different farming regions. Each carries preparation forces across larger areas, reduces the quantity of finished compost required, saves labor and field traffic, and gives growers a practical entry into biodynamic soil work. JPI’s Barrel Compound pit uses 25 gallons of manure, 1,000 grams of basalt powder, and 200 grams of recognizable eggshell particles. The mixture receives a full hour of stirring and two sets of **[BD 502–507 Compost Preparations](https://go.jpibd.org/product-bd-502-507-set)**. At about 45 days, when the mass has become more colloidal and humus-like, BD 507 and another preparation set are added. The finished **[Barrel Compound](https://go.jpibd.org/product-bc)** is lifted while moist and clay-like and receives a 20-minute field stir. See JPI’s **[Barrel Compound Instructions](https://go.jpibd.org/instructions-bc)**. Prepared 500 places all six compost preparations into finished BD 500 in a 30-gallon copper vessel. Developed for Australian scale, it produced deep, humus-rich, strongly rooted soils across extensive acreage. Later experience established that it can be applied from the first year of biodynamic conversion in most situations, with regular BD 500 alone reserved for severely depleted or poisoned soil. Pfeiffer’s **[Compost Starter](https://go.jpibd.org/product-pfeiffer-compost)** arose from extensive preparation-quality work. Pfeiffer cultured 55 beneficial bacteria and other organisms found in BD 500 and the compost preparations, then combined them with a substantial preparation dosage to build compost rich in colloidal humus. His companion Field and Garden Spray contains a higher proportion of BD 500 and is particularly effective before incorporating green manure. JPI’s **[Compost Starter overview](https://go.jpibd.org/guide-pfeiffer-compost)** connects that history to current use. ## Institutional Continuity Hugh Courtney also welcomes Shelley Goguen Hulbert as JPI Executive Director effective January 1, 2011. Her biodynamic farming, nonprofit leadership, fundraising, training, and community-building experience strengthened JPI’s capacity while Courtney continued preparation research and education. The issue also honors Kent Carson’s steady support of JPI and the wider biodynamic movement. ## Articles and Features - Biodynamics Taking Root in the Legendary Napa Valley — Hunter Francis interviews Ivo Jeramaz and Joey Brinkley - Welcoming a New Executive Director — Hugh J. Courtney - In Memory of Kent Carson: April 5, 1949–December 31, 2010 — Hugh J. Courtney - Expanding Biodynamic Horizons: Biodynamic Compound Preparations — Hugh J. Courtney ## Key Topics Covered - Twenty-to-366-acre biodynamic vineyard conversion - Farm-made BD 501, BD 500, and the full preparation set - Fifty-acre treatment and comparison blocks - Juice nitrogen rising from about 150 to 200 ppm - Moisture, cover crops, and prompt spray incorporation - Vine vitality, deep rooting, longevity, and sense of place - Barrel Compound quantities, timing, and field stirring - Prepared 500 for large-acreage humus and root development - Pfeiffer’s 55-organism culture and preparation-quality baseline - JPI leadership continuity and community stewardship ## Related JPI resources - [BD 501 Horn Silica](https://go.jpibd.org/product-bd-501), [guide](https://go.jpibd.org/guide-bd-501), and [instructions](https://go.jpibd.org/instructions-bd-501) - [BD 500 Horn Manure](https://go.jpibd.org/product-bd-500), [guide](https://go.jpibd.org/guide-bd-500), and [instructions](https://go.jpibd.org/instructions-bd-500) - [Pfeiffer Field and Garden Spray](https://go.jpibd.org/product-pfeiffer-spray), [guide](https://go.jpibd.org/guide-pfeiffer-spray), and [instructions](https://go.jpibd.org/instructions-pfeiffer-spray) - [BD 502–507 Compost Preparation Set](https://go.jpibd.org/product-bd-502-507-set) and [instructions](https://go.jpibd.org/instructions-bd-502-507) - [Barrel Compound](https://go.jpibd.org/product-bc), [guide](https://go.jpibd.org/guide-bc), and [instructions](https://go.jpibd.org/instructions-bc) - [Pfeiffer Compost Starter](https://go.jpibd.org/product-pfeiffer-compost), [guide](https://go.jpibd.org/guide-pfeiffer-compost), and [instructions](https://go.jpibd.org/instructions-pfeiffer-compost) ## Citation _Applied Biodynamics_, Issue 071, Josephine Porter Institute for Applied Biodynamics, Winter 2010–2011. [**Download Issue 071 PDF**](https://go.jpibd.org/ab-071) **Tags:** Applied Biodynamics Archive, Barrel Compound, Compost, Crop and Garden Practice, Orchards and Perennials, Pfeiffer Preparations, Research Methods --- > Source: [The Josephine Porter Institute](https://www.jpibiodynamics.org/blogs/applied-biodynamics/applied-biodynamics-issue-071-winter-2010-2011)