FARMING PRINCIPLES
See www.ambythestate.blogspot.com for farming details and current events/photos, etc.
Biodynamics is a farming method made popular by philosopher Rudolf Steiner through a series of lectures given to farmers and landowners in 1924. Biodynamic agriculture arose out of a response to the widespread use of commercial fertilizers and the observations of soil depletion by farmers just after the turn of the century. It is now gaining increased attention for its emphasis on superior food quality and soil health. It is an approach to agriculture in which the whole of creation (the cosmos)--the air, water, soil, sun and moon are interconnected and thus play a role in every action taken upon our land. It is holistic, natural and healing. We apply homeopathic doses of naturally occurring plant and animal materials to our compost pile, our vines and the soil in the vineyards and orchards. Biodynamics not only encourages the elimination of all chemicals used in farming, but encourages the farmer to pay close attention to the forces of nature influencing his/her farm entity.
AmByth Estate is Paso Robles’ first and only winery to produce Demeter certified Biodynamic wines. We gained our certification from the Demeter Association in 2006. We utilize the Biodynamic method of farming to enhance our observations of nature, and use these intimate insights as tools that allow our 20 acres of vineyards to express their true character through the grapes it produces. We want our grapes to be as unique to AmByth Estate as your thumbprint is to you. The estate consists of 20 acres of vineyards and 600 olive trees dedicated to Biodynamic farming principles since their initial planting.
We are inspected annually by the certification body to oversee the strict adherence to Biodynamic principles, this ensures the continued integrity to Biodynamics. Please see www.demeter-usa.org & www.biodynamics.com for more information.
Our compost pile consists of cow manure gathered from Charter Oaks Farm in Templeton. Debby Paver is dedicated to natural beef production, we are very happy to support her farm endeavors by importing her manure for use in our compost pile. In the pile, we apply preparations 502 through 507 early in the winter season, and the compost is applied to the vineyards soon after the first rains the following year (October/November).
Preparations: We store all of our preparations in a wooden box built by Phillip and Christian Morwood out of recycled redwood. It is lined in peat moss and the preps are kept in ceramic vessels. The preparations are believed to promote increased living organism growth in the soil once applied, which creates a balanced plant. The preparations are yarrow, chamomile, valerian, stinging nettle, dandelion and oak bark.
Stirring: Originally, the owners stirred the preparations by hand, but soon came the time to buy a stirring machine. Ours comes from France, it is made of copper (to envoke Venus) and holds up to 75 gallons. By stirring, and creating vortexes and chaos within the water, the farmer is mimicking the rhythm of life--or energizing the water.
Spraying: Barrel compost and the various preps are sprayed on the compost pile, the vine itself or on the soil. The sprays are dictated by the lunar cycles, the time of day and the time of the year.
Specific Requirements for Biodynamic Farms Include:
No use of chemically synthesized fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, no hormones, antibiotics, growth regulators or GMOs.
The farm must be free of prohibited inputs for 36 months, and under biodynamic management for 12-24 months.
Demeter certified farms are personally visited, inspected and re-evaluated annually to maintain the integrity of the certification.
An emphasis is placed on integration of livestock, recycling of nutrients, maintenance of the soil and the health of all crops and animals.
Use of the biodynamic preparations to enhance soil quality and stimulate plant life: horn manure, horn silica, yarrow, chamomile, stinging nettle, oak bark, dandelion, valerian and horsetail.
The use of biodynamic compost as a way to recycle animal manures and organic wastes, stabilize nitrogen, build soil humus and enhance soil health.
Specific Requirements for Biodyamic Wines Include:
Fermentation must be from indigenous yeasts from the vineyard site, no added yeasts permitted.
All pomace and seeds are ecologically recycled by returning them to the farm.
Acidity and sugar adjustments are not permitted.
Maximum of total sulfites added for a bottled wine cannot exceed 100 ppm.