Short definition
A holistic farming philosophy that treats the vineyard as a self-sustaining ecosystem, following lunar and cosmic cycles.
Biodynamic farming started with philosopher Rudolf Steiner in 1924. It includes organic practices plus some unusual additions: burying cow horns filled with manure, spraying herb-infused teas, and timing vineyard work to lunar phases. Skeptics call it pseudoscience. Believers point to results — many of the world's top estates (Domaine Leroy, Zind-Humbrecht, Chapoutier) are biodynamic. The wines often show vivid purity.