How does LDV Winery define organic and biodynamic?

In honor of Earth Day April 22, 2024, we challenge everyone to identify and implement one new strategy to positively improve our beautiful planet. Every day in the vineyard and winery we strive to ensure our beautiful piece of earth is protected. LDV Winery defines sustainability as “meeting our needs today without jeopardizing the ability of future generations to meet their needs.” We implement a comprehensive set of practices that are environmentally sound, socially equitable, and economically viable. We take a hands-on approach to the vineyard and winemaking to ensure that our processes do not harm our pristine place. This extra effort, we believe, pays off in the vineyard, and in LDV’s wine.

Nature is the best teacher and guide for our viticulture and winemaking practices. From selecting the right rootstock, carefully monitoring water usage, and nurturing the soils, it is our mission to intervene as little as possible and allow nature to work its magic. These careful efforts and sustainable practices ensure that our vineyard and land will retain its original character long after we are gone.

Here are two terms related to wine grape growing and wine making that are important to define. There are many wineries that throw these terms around even though they have not met the standards.

• Organic – USDA Certified wine does not at any point during the winemaking process contain – synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals. Any additives must be organically grown, free of any GMOs and sulfites, preservatives with antioxidants, and antibacterial properties.
• Biodynamic – Same requirements as organic related to no chemicals and additives. The difference between the two approaches is that biodynamic refers to wine grape growing taking into consideration the entire ecosystem. This includes maintaining exceptional soil health and planting schedules in line with the lunar cycle. The focus is on ensuring agriculture health.

LDV Winery could meet the requirements of “organic” except that we use sulfites to ensure our wines remain stable over time. However, we use less than the national average. We do everything we can to reach organic standards while focusing on our comprehensive sustainability business ethic.