From Green Right Now Reports
Photo: DeLoach Vineyards
DeLoach Vineyards has earned certification as a Biodynamic farm, as Demeter USA (the only certification agent for Biodynamic farms in the United States) has found the 17-acre estate vineyard and garden fully compliant with the organization’s standards. DeLoach becomes one of only 64 wineries or vineyards in the world to earn the distinction.
Biodynamic farming treats the entire farm as a living organism. The process of converting a farm from conventional to Biodynamic starts with a three-year transition process during which the operation becomes organically certified. Next comes an additional year of Biodynamic-specific practices. All work is governed by the Biodynamic calendar, which is based on celestial and terrestrial movements.
Biodynamic farming’s approach relies on creating natural biodiversity within the farm through cover crops and annual preparations. As a result, Biodynamic farming leaves one of the smallest carbon footprints of any agricultural method. (The process was established by Rudolf Steiner through his series of lectures titled “Agriculture” in 1924.)
At DeLoach, the ecosystem includes eight clones of Pinot Noir, two clones of Chardonnay, plus sheep, bees, and cover crops planted between rows of vines. Fruits and vegetables from the garden are served to winery guests or donated to local food banks.
While the vineyard and gardens at DeLoach have been farmed in line with Biodynamic principles for the past several years, certification was delayed to coincide with the inaugural winegrape crop in 2010.
“We view certification not as the destination of our voyage, but as an affirmation along this voyage that we are moving in the right direction,” said Eric Pooler, DeLoach Winegrower.
This commitment to environmentally-friendly practices extends to the winery. A membrane bio-reactor purifies all water from the winemaking process for reuse in the vineyards, and 100% of energy used is purchased from renewable sources. That eliminates an estimated 314 metric tons of CO2 – the equivalent of 57 passenger vehicles for 1 year.
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