Applied Biodynamics — Issue 069 (Summer 2010)

Applied Biodynamics Issue 069 (Summer 2010) presents Frey Vineyards as a living family, farm, vineyard, cellar, and regional community. Luke Frey describes the practical development of biodynamic winegrowing, the changes he observed in soil and vines, and the way preparation making strengthened a wider social organism.

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Frey Vineyards: Biodynamics in a Living Social Organism

The Frey family planted its first vineyards in 1959. Luke and his brothers began making wine from their own grapes in 1978 and established the winery in 1980. By the time of the interview, Frey produced about 25,000 cases a year and grew fruit on approximately 200 acres. The family’s non-sulfited winemaking developed through years of cellar work with open-top fermentation, hand punch-down, clean fruit, and close attention to aroma and flavor.

Biodynamics entered the vineyard in 1993–94. Luke built stirring and spray equipment, began applying the preparations across the home ranch, and joined the Biodynamic Association of Northern California. Frey began making BD 500 Horn Manure and BD 501 Horn Silica onsite in 1994 and all of the preparations by 1996, the year the winery achieved Demeter certification.

Training at JPI and shared work with regional makers supported preparation quality and continuity. Preparations made through the regional group were distributed to members, while sales helped fund the association. Luke describes this as a durable cycle of skilled preparation making, wider access, and community support.

Positive Soil, Vine, Grape, and Wine Observations

Across seasons, Frey observed soil holding moisture in a new way, turning more readily, becoming drier and more friable in cultivation, and developing a changed aroma. He also observed greater diversity among weeds and plants and stronger color and vitality in vines, leaves, and surrounding growth.

Frey reported thicker grape skins, a denser and more uniform native-yeast layer, and less mildew. During punch-down, the fermenting grapes released fuller fruit aromas and a richer range of scents. Because he had worked these vineyards since childhood, his account follows changes in the same land through long practical familiarity.

Luke also describes biodynamics as a spiritual practice that develops perception and reveals relationships among soil, plant, animal, farmer, family, and community. The farm’s extended family, preparation workshops, BDANC gatherings, and educational work express that insight through shared practice.

Practical Answers from Hugh Courtney

For Biodynamic Tree Paste, Courtney begins with the classic equal parts of fresh cow manure, clay, and sand, then notes the successful modern tendency toward more clay and less sand. Greensand can join the mineral portion when substantial manure and clay remain, while a minute amount of castor or linseed oil improves adhesion. JPI’s current Tree Paste instructions provide the active recipe and application pathway.

Fresh BD 508 Horsetail tea is prepared for prompt use. When fresh tea is stored, it begins to ferment and is then treated as fermented tea in a glass or earthenware container with a loose-fitting lid. Issue 069 therefore links the fresh method naturally with the stable fermented form described in Issues 067 and 068.

For BD 501, Courtney directs makers to finely pulverized quartz, orthoclase, or feldspar silica suitable for ceramic work. This preserves the mineral character and fine suspension needed for Horn Silica.

Hugo Erbe No. 9 Harmonizing Preparation

Issue 069 introduces HE 9 as a harmonizing companion to Three Kings Preparation. Its historical composition brings egg whites, honey, cow’s milk, red grape juice, sunflower oil, cooking salt, and whole wheat together through a long anaerobic fermentation. Courtney presents these familiar human foods as an offering of gratitude to the elemental world and a practice for renewing harmonious work within the farm individuality.

HE 9 belongs within the continuing program of BD 500–508. The current JPI method uses one 12-gram unit per acre, stirred for one hour in 10–15 gallons of rainwater and sprayed immediately late in the day. JPI suggests the period between the fall equinox and Advent, with Michaelmas on September 29 as the traditional day. The current HE 9 instructions provide the complete practice.

A Record for Continuing the Work

• Record each preparation batch, dose, stirring time, application date, crop stage, weather, vineyard block, and cellar practice.
• Follow soil moisture, workability, aroma, plant diversity, vine and leaf color, mildew, grape skin development, native-yeast appearance, and fermentation aroma through the season.
• Photograph the same vineyard places and record the same sensory qualities at consistent intervals so changes remain visible across years.
• Include preparation-making participants, shared equipment, distribution, and training so the record captures the social organism as well as the vineyard.

Key Topics Covered

• Frey Vineyards as a family and social organism
• Non-sulfited winemaking and long cellar practice
• On-farm preparation making and 1996 Demeter certification
• Regional preparation training, distribution, and funding
• Positive soil, plant, fruit, mildew, yeast, and fermentation observations
• Tree-paste proportions, greensand, and adhesion
• Fresh BD 508 storage and continued fermentation
• Quartz mineral sourcing for BD 501
• HE 9 ingredients, rate, Michaelmas timing, and spiritual purpose

Explore Related Resources

• Hugo Erbe No. 9 Harmonizing Preparation and instructions
• BD 500 Horn Manure and instructions
• BD 501 Horn Silica and instructions
• Biodynamic Tree Paste and instructions
• BD 508 Horsetail and instructions
• Three Kings Preparation and instructions

Articles in This Issue

• Frey Vineyards: Cultivating Biodynamics in an Evolving Social Organism — Hunter Francis interviews Luke Frey
• Anecdotes and Antidotes — Biodynamics at Work — Hugh J. Courtney
• Harmonizing Preparation of Hugo Erbe Now Available — Hugh J. Courtney
• New Book Titles: Deep Gardening and Farming Soul
• Other Newly Acquired Titles: Metamorphosis and Wisdom of the Bees

Citation

Source: Applied Biodynamics, Issue No. 69, Josephine Porter Institute for Applied Bio-Dynamics, Summer 2010.