Applied Biodynamics — Issue 038 (Fall 2002)
Issue 038 presents biodynamic vineyard reports of stronger ripening, higher yields, disease relief, vine vigor, terroir, and expressive wine, together with later BD 501 research findings.
Published by The Josephine Porter Institute Download PDF ↗
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Applied Biodynamics Issue 038 (Fall 2002) is devoted to biodynamic vineyards and wines. Patricia Smith interviews growers and winemakers at Harms Vineyards & Lavender Fields, Robert Sinskey Vineyards, Fragrant Farms, Everett Ridge Vineyards, Porter-Bass Vineyard, Sonoma-Cutrer, and Frey Vineyards, gathering vivid reports about ripening, vine vigor, disease relief, soil, terroir, and wine character.
Harms Vineyards: Syrah recovery and rising yields
Patricia Damery recalls an October 1999 Syrah block near 19 °Brix with yellowing leaves and raisining fruit. After a consultant directed a ten-day sequence of biodynamic sprays, she reports that the leaves turned green again, the berries plumped without rain or irrigation, and the fruit reached 24 °Brix before harvest. She says the flavors were distinct and wonderful.
The Harms program grew to include Barrel Compound, BD 500, BD 501, prepared compost, fermented BD 508, BD 505, and BD 507 alongside mowing, ground cover, mulching, canopy work, and careful sulfur use. Damery reports that the vines improved in health, size, and flavor, compromised replants began thriving, and yields rose from less than one ton per acre to about three tons per acre over three years.
Robert Sinskey: fast ripening response
In the cool, wet 2000 season, Robert Sinskey Vineyards applied BD 501 and BD 507 when picking seemed out of reach. Kirk Grace reports that the Brix reading rose one and a half points in 48 hours, accompanied by improving pH and total acidity. He also describes clean, crisp, bright wines, compost teas rich in free-living nitrogen-fixing bacteria, and whole-farm attention to soil and vines.
Positive research on BD 501 and ripening
Later studies offer measured support for the vineyard theme. Plant-available silicon experiments in winter wheat and rice found higher photosynthesis during key flowering or grain-filling stages. A two-year grapevine comparison found higher late-stage leaf polyphenols and chitinase activity with BD 501, a five-year vineyard study measured higher photosynthesis at one sampling with BD 500 and BD 501 together, and a separate two-season grapevine trial reported generally higher yields with biodynamic-silica or potassium-silicate sprays than with water controls.
Fragrant Farms: BD 508 relief
Fragrant Farms had received only biodynamic preparations since 1997. During the 2002 season, grape skins developed an unusual sulfur-like odor amid fungal pressure. After the vineyard applied fermented Equisetum, or BD 508, at its standard rate, Mark Trela reports relief that had not been detectable before. The farm continued relying on biodynamic sprays and a coordinated sequence of preparations.
The vineyard’s 1999 Cayuga White won a bronze medal at the Indianapolis Wine Competition and was praised in the Indianapolis Wine Journal as a refreshing wine for summer heat.
Everett Ridge, Porter-Bass, Sonoma-Cutrer, and Frey
Everett Ridge converted its first biodynamic acreage in 1998, using BD 500, Barrel Compound, Pfeiffer Compost Starter, and fermented BD 508 with generous compost. The winemaker connects the living soil with healthy vines, clean wine, and expressive fruit.
Porter-Bass used BD 500, BD 501, BD 508, the BD 502–507 compost preparations from JPI, compost teas, and diverse vineyard plantings. After three years, Sue Bass reports new vigor and says biodynamics helped bring out the site’s terroir.
Sonoma-Cutrer used BD 500, BD 501, Barrel Compound, and the compost preparations on a dedicated vineyard, with the goal of expressing the grape fully in the wine. Its 2001 biodynamic Chardonnay was made with no additions beyond sulfur dioxide—no tartaric acid, yeast, malolactic culture, fining agents, or filtration.
Frey Vineyards had been certified biodynamic since 1996 and organic since 1980. Frey describes naturally vigorous yeasts on biodynamic grapes and wines intended to reflect the inner character of the land.
Wine from Sky to Earth
Steve Melchiskey’s review presents Nicolas Joly’s Wine from Sky to Earth as a seasonal journey through vine growth, compost, preparations, celestial rhythms, and cellar practice. His tasting of a 25-year-old Coulée de Serrant celebrates a wine of remarkable freshness, layered aroma, minerality, and living character.
Key Topics Covered
- Seven vineyard and winery approaches to soil, compost, preparations, ripening, and wine
- Harms Vineyards’ 19-to-24 °Brix recovery and three-year yield increase
- Robert Sinskey Vineyards’ reported 1.5-point Brix rise in 48 hours
- Modern BD 501 grapevine, photosynthesis, and yield findings
- Fragrant Farms’ fermented BD 508 observation
- Vine vigor, terroir, natural fermentation, and expressive wines
Explore Related Resources
- BD 500 Horn Manure and the BD 500 instructions
- BD 501 Horn Silica
- BD 505 Oak Bark and BD 507 Valerian
- BD 508 Horsetail and the BD 508 overview
- BD 502–507 Compost Preparation Set
- Barrel Compound and its application instructions
- Pfeiffer Compost Starter
- Agriculture: Spiritual-Scientific Foundations for the Renewal of Agriculture
Articles
- Biodynamics Brought to the Vine (P. Smith)
- Finding Your Way to Biodynamic Wines (P. Smith)
- Book Review: Wine from Sky to Earth—Growing and Appreciating Biodynamic Wine (S. Melchiskey)
Citation
Source: Applied Biodynamics, Issue No. 38, Josephine Porter Institute for Applied Bio-Dynamics, Fall 2002.
