![BV Purisima 0527 cond](https://beckmen.imgix.net/blog/BVPurisima-0527-cond.jpg?auto=compress&crop=focalpoint&domain=beckmen.imgix.net&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1375&ixlib=php-3.3.1&w=2200&s=bbaa0c917cd0717ac818d6931f1cabec 2200w, https://beckmen.imgix.net/blog/BVPurisima-0527-cond.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&domain=beckmen.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1250&ixlib=php-3.3.1&w=2000&s=66a5d09a59b266b9e500d124b9ca915e 2000w, https://beckmen.imgix.net/blog/BVPurisima-0527-cond.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&domain=beckmen.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1125&ixlib=php-3.3.1&w=1800&s=614ffea0857f81e793b3da0e164b4f67 1800w, https://beckmen.imgix.net/blog/BVPurisima-0527-cond.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&domain=beckmen.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1000&ixlib=php-3.3.1&w=1600&s=35252c8e8d969368cd41e336f015b818 1600w, https://beckmen.imgix.net/blog/BVPurisima-0527-cond.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&domain=beckmen.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=812&ixlib=php-3.3.1&w=1300&s=3bdfd81db3b4ec5f4b389d47a5def61b 1300w, https://beckmen.imgix.net/blog/BVPurisima-0527-cond.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&domain=beckmen.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=687&ixlib=php-3.3.1&w=1100&s=35ea3a6dc66029cecdb830f732678fea 1100w, https://beckmen.imgix.net/blog/BVPurisima-0527-cond.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&domain=beckmen.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=562&ixlib=php-3.3.1&w=900&s=51be5e94eb84d9868415fba4792800ac 900w, https://beckmen.imgix.net/blog/BVPurisima-0527-cond.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&domain=beckmen.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=500&ixlib=php-3.3.1&w=800&s=33e2ba14387c7c0d5fd0d13786aee427 800w, https://beckmen.imgix.net/blog/BVPurisima-0527-cond.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&domain=beckmen.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=375&ixlib=php-3.3.1&w=600&s=51bae2abdab06fe1b32bfc04c8ae2812 600w, https://beckmen.imgix.net/blog/BVPurisima-0527-cond.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&domain=beckmen.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=250&ixlib=php-3.3.1&w=400&s=fda9631387ad09592908eb827e1bbe84 400w)
Beckmen on Biodynamics Part III: Organic v. Biodynamic; Biodynamic v. Regenerative Organic
Posted: Feb 27, 2024
There is no argument that the move towards biodynamic, organic and regenerative organic farming is a good thing for wine and the earth, but as typical in our industry, we like to make things challenging. There is little information available about what is involved in following these practices and what makes them different from each other. In this blog, we will discuss the different farming practices for each practice before moving onto the even more challenging subject of organic, biodynamic and natural wine in part 4 of this blog series.
In the previous parts of this blog series — Beckmen on Biodynamics Part 1 and Beckmen on Biodynamics Part II: The Five Core Concepts of Biodynamics — we went into great detail about our chosen farming philosophy Biodynamic. You can go back and read those articles so we will not spend too much time on biodynamic farming in this article. There are links at the end of this blog if you are interested in the certification process for these farming methods.
![BV Purisima 0505 cond](https://beckmen.imgix.net/general-images/BVPurisima-0505-cond.jpg?auto=compress&crop=focalpoint&domain=beckmen.imgix.net&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1375&ixlib=php-3.3.1&w=2200&s=c0a966fdb2b4687837df163a6131140d 2200w, https://beckmen.imgix.net/general-images/BVPurisima-0505-cond.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&domain=beckmen.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1250&ixlib=php-3.3.1&w=2000&s=1824ca07ed41d9faa0ad13bd288ec5cb 2000w, https://beckmen.imgix.net/general-images/BVPurisima-0505-cond.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&domain=beckmen.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1125&ixlib=php-3.3.1&w=1800&s=2d9192ca4dcf91b76be75c783eb402e4 1800w, https://beckmen.imgix.net/general-images/BVPurisima-0505-cond.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&domain=beckmen.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1000&ixlib=php-3.3.1&w=1600&s=7ca07ce5ddb26032fa76d160e5e6615e 1600w, https://beckmen.imgix.net/general-images/BVPurisima-0505-cond.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&domain=beckmen.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=812&ixlib=php-3.3.1&w=1300&s=c9677f9d34c974456c6d1f360e03a979 1300w, https://beckmen.imgix.net/general-images/BVPurisima-0505-cond.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&domain=beckmen.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=687&ixlib=php-3.3.1&w=1100&s=a8516734ddd45ad92ffb3ea8e7bfd541 1100w, https://beckmen.imgix.net/general-images/BVPurisima-0505-cond.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&domain=beckmen.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=562&ixlib=php-3.3.1&w=900&s=2c84369b972696284b35ef8f4b4d5a7b 900w, https://beckmen.imgix.net/general-images/BVPurisima-0505-cond.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&domain=beckmen.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=500&ixlib=php-3.3.1&w=800&s=934ea007ff9eacfe61a4536d3871a3db 800w, https://beckmen.imgix.net/general-images/BVPurisima-0505-cond.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&domain=beckmen.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=375&ixlib=php-3.3.1&w=600&s=533b3579cf5f581dd6872311e1f1f47a 600w, https://beckmen.imgix.net/general-images/BVPurisima-0505-cond.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&domain=beckmen.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=250&ixlib=php-3.3.1&w=400&s=03c1d9aaf3a43f2e0e1f61cf4adb97ea 400w)
Let’s start with the difference between organic and biodynamic.
We have often spoken about this subject and typically state three main differences between these two farming philosophies. Much of this information was gleaned from an esteemed colleague in Biodynamic farming, Hugh Courtney, who helped establish the Josephine Porter Institute for Applied Biodynamics and was one of the finest Biodynamic prep makers as well as an expert on biodynamic farming. Hugh noted both in print and to me personally that the three main differences between biodynamic and organic farming are the use of the biodynamic preps, the use of the biodynamic calendar and the holistic vision where life comes from life, meaning the biodynamic farm’s fertility does not come from a bag of organic fertilizer but from the manure and compost created from the animals on our farm. This simple explanation makes sense because the roots of organic farming come from the Biodynamic philosophy.
Both philosophies focus on building healthy and enlivened soils without using poisons or harmful chemicals like Roundup. It is how they go about creating these enlivened soils where you find a difference. Organic farming does not take the holistic approach that Biodynamic farming does. Organic farming will still fertilize out of a bag as long as it is organically produced and sourced. Both philosophies strive to create diversity on their farms and in their crop rotations or cover crop rotations, and both are open to tillage, a practice of turning the soil over. There is, however, no talk of a closed system or creating a farm ecosystem with organic farming but it is a core value of Biodynamic farming.
![Cows 4798](https://beckmen.imgix.net/general-images/Cows-4798_2024-02-27-191825_bnjz.jpg?auto=compress&crop=focalpoint&domain=beckmen.imgix.net&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1375&ixlib=php-3.3.1&w=2200&s=86009aad6486d0f55e8d415436d3ed53 2200w, https://beckmen.imgix.net/general-images/Cows-4798_2024-02-27-191825_bnjz.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&domain=beckmen.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1250&ixlib=php-3.3.1&w=2000&s=497f2af7ece52d7bc05833366182010b 2000w, https://beckmen.imgix.net/general-images/Cows-4798_2024-02-27-191825_bnjz.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&domain=beckmen.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1125&ixlib=php-3.3.1&w=1800&s=ec2abb88b586558462dbcae178cf49ee 1800w, https://beckmen.imgix.net/general-images/Cows-4798_2024-02-27-191825_bnjz.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&domain=beckmen.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1000&ixlib=php-3.3.1&w=1600&s=da3ceb539b4d7a0c485f459ffd1d2c44 1600w, https://beckmen.imgix.net/general-images/Cows-4798_2024-02-27-191825_bnjz.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&domain=beckmen.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=812&ixlib=php-3.3.1&w=1300&s=ce3c715c8713edd20c76c6ebceae75ac 1300w, https://beckmen.imgix.net/general-images/Cows-4798_2024-02-27-191825_bnjz.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&domain=beckmen.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=687&ixlib=php-3.3.1&w=1100&s=cda7eb6a7de1f17f4a9eaa386fcc1e84 1100w, https://beckmen.imgix.net/general-images/Cows-4798_2024-02-27-191825_bnjz.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&domain=beckmen.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=562&ixlib=php-3.3.1&w=900&s=7d23c732e1738a64a9d61f7c36e83fb8 900w, https://beckmen.imgix.net/general-images/Cows-4798_2024-02-27-191825_bnjz.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&domain=beckmen.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=500&ixlib=php-3.3.1&w=800&s=a5f07dd76ef287cfbea1d45ecf5b52e6 800w, https://beckmen.imgix.net/general-images/Cows-4798_2024-02-27-191825_bnjz.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&domain=beckmen.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=375&ixlib=php-3.3.1&w=600&s=47fde5f6923697e9ad7740add2f3510e 600w, https://beckmen.imgix.net/general-images/Cows-4798_2024-02-27-191825_bnjz.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&domain=beckmen.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=250&ixlib=php-3.3.1&w=400&s=2fefe5da45cf69298388257551851473 400w)
Regenerative Organic is a relatively new and very hip topic in the wine business right now. It combines parts of organic farming with parts of biodynamic farming while adding something completely its own. Think of it as a way for those farmers who have a hard time embracing some of the more esoteric practices of biodynamic farming like the preps and calendar to incorporate other parts of biodynamic practices into their organic practices. It is an evolution of both organic and biodynamic farming. Biodynamic farming requires a leap of faith which not all farmers and people are willing to make. Regenerative opens up some of the very important ideas of biodynamic to a wider audience who are unwilling to take that leap, and now do not have to with Regenerative Organic.
A regenerative organic farm includes similar ideas of biodiversity and animals on the farm for fertility like the Biodynamic system, but makes them a requirement for certification which is different than Biodynamic certification. The Regenerative Organic system is a holistic one like Biodynamic and encourages farmers towards a closed system. The regenerative organic system does not allow tillage, but will make exceptions in some instances. There are no such specifications in biodynamic certification in fact many Biodynamic farmers till and till often. The idea of no till relates to another very hot topic of today: global climate change and the move to trap more CO2. The belief is that no till captures more CO2 than till. Tilling can be extremely beneficial to a farm and vineyard if it is not done in excess. Our biodynamic system includes a tilling rotation throughout the vineyard with different rows being done each year. Tilling can help stimulate root growth, can aerate compacted soils, and most importantly for us, it helps eliminate competition for water, our most precious resource.
Another very cool aspect of regenerative organic is taking care of the people and employees who work the farm through higher wages and healthier working conditions. Taking sustainability to include not just the farm, plants, and soils but the people who work the farm, plants, and soils. All employees who work on an Organic, Biodynamic and Regenerative Organic farms and vineyards benefit from healthier working conditions. The fact that Regenerative Organic certification makes this a part of the certification process is admirable.
All three of these systems promote the ideas of healthy soils and healthy plants. All three are good for our farms, our wines and our world. Having started working with biodynamics for over twenty years, it has been fascinating to see the growth and evolution of these healthy farming philosophies. We are at a great point now where wine growers have options and can do what they feel is best for them personally, their wines, and their vineyards. We obviously chose our direction early and are very comfortable with our system as we continue to learn and evolve with our biodynamic farming. The important thing is that more vineyards are moving towards farming that is beneficial to the earth and humanity. The quality of these benefits is seen in the wines being produced off these vineyards throughout the world, including our own.
For more information on the different certifications being discussed here, please visit these websites:
Biodynamic – www.demeter-usa.org
Regenerative Organic – www.regenorganic.org
Organic — www.usda.gov/topics/organic