Wine Club Notes
Biodynamic Wines – Healthy Lifestyle
Introducing Meinklang Winery, Burgenland, Austria
As early as the beginning of the 20th century some farmers realized that industrial methods of agriculture were causing ecological damage. They invited the anthropologist Rudolf Steiner to explain his thoughts on this issue and in 1924 Rudolf Steiner held a total of eight lectures at Koberwitz near Breslau in which he presented a comprehensive treatise on the scientific principles governing the interrelationship between nature and agriculture. Rudolf Steiner made well-defined recommendations for agricultural practices in individual areas.
  
This philosophy revolves around the farm as an agricultural operation whose plants and animals become integrated parts of their natural environment. The fundamental objective of biodynamic cultivation is the creation of a farm as a self-sufficient living organism through the keeping of cattle, production of its own seeds and feed, fertilization with farm-produced compost or manure and the growing of leguminous plants. Adherence to these principles leads to a harmonization of the living relationship between soil, plant and animal. A healthy soil produces healthy plants, which in turn supply the nutritional requirements of man and animal.
Instead of industrially manufactured chemical fertilizer and sprays containing toxic substances, bio-dynamically managed agriculture employs the use of special herbal, quartz and dung preparations, which are of vital importance for the production of compost and for the care of soil and plants. This continuous composting process with farm-produced manure and compost preparations creates the basis for a living soil. Preparations derived from cow-dung and medicinal plants such as chamomile, dandelion and valerian support the process that creates fertility. Similar to the principles of homeopathy the stirring of these substances into water creates a dynamic force that acts as a carrier of life. A preparation produced in this manner is applied as a fine spray in vineyards and fields and takes effect.
It is of fundamental importance that all processes are applied at the right time. The art of Demeter-cultivation lies in choosing the right time of application. This requires sensitive understanding and long experience in order to be able to observe and make use of the rhythms of the earth and the cosmos. The influence of the cosmos on flora and fauna has been positively proven. An Australian study conducted at the University of Adelaide has shown that bio-dynamically cultivated vines exhibit a significantly better growth of roots. www.demeter.org.au
The vineyard as biotope. Meinklang vineyards are surrounded by natural ponds and wild herbs such as meliot, vetch, red clover and wild grasses offer a domicile for beneficial insects and soil organisms. Their deep roots loosen and aerate the soil providing an ambient environment for healthy vines. These wild plants are also competition for water and nutrients and provide gentle, desirable stress for the vines, which contributes positively to the development of aroma and phenols in grapes. Meinklang make its own compost from animal dung, pomace, plant cuttings and ground quartz. Vital and robust vines can only thrive in living soils to produce unique wines of character.
Variety diversity. Zweigelt and Blaufränkisch are the most planted grape varieties and are the typical varieties that best reflect the region. Pinot Noir and St. Laurent also enjoy great respect and have also become typical for the region. Meinklang white wine varieties are also indigenous and include Welschriesling, Pinot Blanc, Grüner Veltliner and Pinot Gris – Varieties that nicely highlight the character of the region.
 
call us or stop by the store to learn more about Meinklang Wines.
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