"It could be said that I was destined to be a farmer from the start. Some of my earliest and best memories are those of the summers spent following and learning from my grandfather on his farm in Northern Iran. My grandfather farmed with a holistic approach, and to my young eyes seemed to be somehow connected to the farm. Looking back, his dedication to the land and constant tending gave him great insight into the activity of the plants on the farm. To this day I can taste the fruit we’d eat straight from the source on those warm summer days.

I first came to the United States in 1971, after graduating high school. Unaccustomed to large grocery stores, I was amazed at the abundance of perfectly shaped, beautiful fruit and vegetables in every store. However, their beauty stopped at their appearance. They didn’t hold the flavor or quality that I was accustomed to from my youth. My grandfather did not believe in the use of chemicals on their land, and I began to realize the connection. When my wife, Flora, and I had the opportunity to start our own farm in 1997, I intended to follow my grandfather’s teachings. Regardless of the long-term and intrinsic benefits, it was and is a daunting task to undertake.

In the beginning, we began practicing organic farming. We wanted a healthier earth for healthier vines. However, we soon realized that even with organic farming we were required to use certain compounds and minerals that had been mined from the earth’s natural resources. Since that was far from our goal, we began looking into more natural alternatives.

All the while, we continued farming with the natural methods I had learned from my grandfather. Our search lead us to the Biodynamic method. It encompassed what we were doing, but opened a whole new world, especially the introduction of Biodynamic preparations. Biodynamic farming is not a new concept. Indeed, its roots reach long before the introduction of chemicals to farming.

In modern times, Biodynamics shares a foundation with the organic movement. However, while organics shares the biological agriculture background and methods, it stops short of the dynamic processes, or life force of the farm. For within a fully sustainable farm, there is a circle of life processes which are distinct yet completely intertwined with the whole. Biodynamics recognizes and responds to the life force of the living farm, considering the farm a living organism. It requires a much more in depth understanding and consideration of the farm as a whole.

As a living organism, a Biodynamic farm should be self-sustaining. Therefore, the goal of any Biodynamic farm is to reduce the amount of outsourced inputs, and eventually eliminate the need all together. This is especially important with wine, as the maintenance of a unique sense of place is essential in maintaining the vineyard’s sense of terroir.

Biodynamics is an all-encompassing philosophy, and as such, there is much to learn. We are continually educating ourselves to further our understanding of the methods and our property. Since Biodynamics utilizes natural processes, there is no quick fix. We must work with and through the earth. In Biodynamic farming, each farm has its own individuality and character. The farmer is part of that equation, similar to the conductor of an orchestra, leading the farm in the right direction. Integration of livestock, creating new pastures, thinning of the forest, introducing insectory plants to enhance the well-being and food supply for beneficial insects, introducing wild life and recycling nutrients are all important parts of our task.

Like irrigation, it may not be what nature would create if left alone. However, we are a vineyard, and seek to gently redesign the farm’s natural ecosystem to the benefit of the vines. Therefore, to maintain that ecosystem we need to be very mindful of the needs of the farm. For instance, just like the lack of nutrients, over-nutrition can be equally detrimental to the system. The challenge and goal of a Biodynamic farm is to find and maintain that balance.

Though difficult, we believe that it is well worth the challenge and work involved. We feel very fortunate to be stewards of this farm and part of the Biodynamic process. Through our low-impact winemaking, we hope to share our beliefs and the riches that may be obtained from Biodynamics with the world."

–Moe Momtazi, Owner