# What is Biodynamic Wine?

**By Stewart Lundy** · 2023-05-17

Biodynamic wine is an all-natural approach to viticulture that emphasizes the unique character of each individual farm's soil and climate. In the wine world, the distinctness of each different soil is called _terroir_ (related to the Latin word _terra_, "earth"). Often wines are Demeter Certified, guaranteeing that they not only meet an organic standard of _avoiding_ synthetic fertilizers and avoiding synthetic pesticides but also _including_ specific regenerative and biodynamic elements.

Biodynamics emphasizes the **distinctive flavors and aromas of natural fruits, vegetables, and wines.  
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Biodynamics seeks to add more life back into the soil than we take out of it. The foundation of biodynamics is a set of special herbal remedies that boost vitality in the soil. The first is called **[Horn Manure](https://jpibiodynamics.org/products/bd-500-horn-manure-bd-spray-preparation).   
  
Horn Manure** is the soil spray used in biodynamics to re-enliven deadened soil. Through overexploitation, agricultural soils can easily become tired. [Biodynamic horn manure](https://jpibiodynamics.org/products/bd-500-horn-manure-bd-spray-preparation) is a key part of reawakening them to new life. 

**[Horn Silica](https://jpibiodynamics.org/products/bd-501-horn-silica-bd-spray-preparation)** is a foliar spray used in biodynamics to improve photosynthesis, sugar levels (brix levels), combat fungus and mildew and ripen fruits. 

  
[**The Compost Preparations**](https://jpibiodynamics.org/products/set-of-biodynamic-compost-preparations-bd-502-507) are a set of carefully composted medicinal herbs which bring qualities to compost nourishing plants that we might forget to bring to their roots. This includes yarrow, chamomile, nettles, dandelion, oak bark, and valerian. This spectrum of medicinal herbs provides an arsenal of phytonutrients and enzymes that stimulate diverse microbiological growth, providing the right forces necessary for healthy plant development. 

**Equisetum arvense** is a special plant used in biodynamics to combat fungus and mildew as a regular foliar spray. It is a remarkable plant that is almost like a living fossil. Because [Equisetum arvense thrives in wet conditions](https://jpibiodynamics.org/products/biodynamic-horsetail-preparation-equisetum-arvense-bd-508-bd-antifungal-spray-preparation), as a spray it helps other plants thrive in similarly humid conditions where they might otherwise succumb to mildew or fungus.  
  
[Learn more about converting a vineyard to biodynamics](https://jpibiodynamics.org/blogs/blog/how-to-convert-a-vineyard-to-biodynamics).

**Tags:** 2023, 500 horn manure, 508, anthroposophy, biodynamic, biodynamic preparations, biodynamic wine, biodynamics, compost, compost activator, compost starter, ecology, esoteric science, esotericism, indigenous, indigenous microorganisms, organic wine, permaculture, regenerative, rudolf steiner, viticulture, wine

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> Source: [The Josephine Porter Institute](https://www.jpibiodynamics.org/blogs/blog/biodynamic-wine-explained)