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Monday, July 19, 2010

Is Bio-dynamic Grape Growing a Hoax?

I recently read an interesting article by Dr. Mark Greenspan in the Wine Business Monthly titled, "Thoughts on Organic, Bio-dynamic, and Sustainable Grape Growing". This article is a reasonable critique of the Bio-dynamic movement particularly with the true believers who infer that conventional wine is bad, organic wine is better, and bio-dynamic wine is best. Dr. Greenspan also critiques many bio-dynamic practices because they can not be tested in a scientific manner. This article forced me to research the subject a little more which led me to a site which wasn't pulling punches, "Biodynamics is a Hoax". Published by Stu Smith, of Smith-Madrone Vineyard, this blog is dedicated to proving that Biodynamics founder, Rudolf Steiner, was a "nutcase" and fraud and that Biodynamics farming may do more harm in the long run. Very interesting propositions.

2 comments:

  1. AnonymousJuly 20, 2010 at 6:53 PM

    Steiner also founded an education system which now sees ~1000 schools, and 1400+ kindergartens in 60 countries around the world teaching children in a holistic manner. Having watched my younger cousins go through this system and onto university degrees I think Steiner was well ahead of his time - or perhaps just trying to help us undo the modern world's (="Modern Science?") non holistic approach - a statement I would also apply to Biodynamics.

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  2. CassidyFNovember 18, 2010 at 11:41 AM

    Goodness! This is crazy! Although its possible it could impact how grape growing is affected, but in all climates... really? Wow, I'm in awe as I'm a grape growing expert, and do enjoy hearing new ways of growing natural fruits. If this type of grapes planting works, heck I'll make a book out of it! Lets see what the rest of the world thinks!

    Cheers,

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