Natural Viticulture: The Essence of Minimal Intervention
When we talk about wines with a strong connection to the land, we often hear two concepts: natural viticulture and biodynamic viticulture. While they may seem similar, they have fundamental differences in their principles and practices. Below, we explain what distinguishes each one and what it really means when a wine is called “natural” or “biodynamic.”
Natural viticulture is based on respecting the natural processes of the vineyard and the wine as much as possible, avoiding any artificial or chemical intervention.
🌿 Use of plants to heal plants: Natural winemakers use plant extracts (such as horsetail, nettle, or garlic) to protect the vines from diseases, instead of synthetic chemicals. 🌿 Absence of official regulation: There is no specific regulation governing natural wine, so any producer can label their wine as “natural” without the need for certifications. 🌿 No commercial yeasts or additives: Fermentation is carried out with native yeasts from the grapes and the winery. 🌿 Minimal intervention throughout the process: No filtration, no aggressive clarification, and minimal or no sulfites.
Biodynamic viticulture follows the theories developed by Rudolf Steiner in the 20th century. This approach views the vineyard as a self-sustaining ecosystem and is organized according to lunar and cosmic cycles.
🌿 Preparados biodinámicos: Se utilizan compuestos especiales (como estiércol fermentado en cuernos de vaca o infusiones de ortiga) descritos por Steiner para estimular la fertilidad del suelo y la salud de la vid. 🌕 Influencia astronómica: Las tareas del viñedo se planifican según el calendario lunar y planetario. 📜 Certificación obligatoria: Para poner “vino biodinámico” en la etiqueta, el productor debe pagar para obtener una certificación oficial, como la de Demeter.
Despite having developed this entire method, Rudolf Steiner did not drink wine. This has sparked debate about to what extent his theories align with the reality of winemaking.
While natural viticulture is an open movement, without strict rules or mandatory certifications, biodynamics is highly structured and certified, which may limit its evolution and adaptation to new techniques.
In conclusion, natural viticulture advocates for freedom and minimal intervention, while biodynamics follows a more ritualized and regulated approach.
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