The 9 Most Beautiful Biodynamic Wineries in the World

With the increasing spotlight on conservation around the world, more vineyards are committed to sustainability and becoming biodynamic now than ever before, adhering to the principles of the philosopher Rudolf Steiner. He believed that the position of the moon and stars within specific constellations and times of year influenced the growth of the vines, roots, flowers, and fruit. Many such vineyards go the extra mile, by resorting to “dry-farming” principles, plowing the soil with livestock and hand-picking the grapes.

Herewith, AD lists the most beautiful biodynamic vineyards around the world:

The closest vineyard to the ocean in the historic winemaking region of Marlborough, New Zealand, Yealands is also committed to being eco-friendly, as it's carbon–neutral certified. The vineyard cultivates Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Pinot Noir, and Gewürztraminer varietals, among others, on a 1,100-hectare butterfly-friendly vineyard that is partly solar-powered. It is also the only New Zealand vineyard to use vine prunings as an energy source during the winter. Guests can stay at the nearby Marlborough Lodge, which arranges wine tours. yealands.co.nz

The entire county of Sonoma is working to become the first 100-percent-sustainable wine region in the U.S. And located on winding West Dry Creek Road, this vineyard, with its approach to “holistic farming,” adheres to Steiner's biodynamic principles, with pigs, chickens, and compost heaps, as well as sprawling vineyards filled with Sauvignon Blanc and Grenache grapes. quivirawine.com

Located in Margaret River, the country’s lesser-known wine region, Cullen Wines opened in 1971 and produces 25 percent of the country’s premium wines. It became biodynamic in 2008, and all the pruning and harvesting is done by hand and the vines are dry-farmed to help ensure maximum fruit quality. The property is carbon neutral, and guests can participate in the biodynamic winemaking process through the “Spiral Garden,” which allows them to experience a self-guided tour learning the philosophy of biodynamics. cullenwines.com.au

Located in the Tualatin Valley is the Montinore Estate, established in 1982. It is the second largest estate producer of biodynamic wines in the U.S. and primarily grows Pinot Noir on 200 acres, as well as Italian varietals on the eastern-facing slope of the Coastal Range foothills in Oregon. A special vineyard called Merriman is a 30-acre dry-farmed vineyard that is LIVE certified (generally considered the highest certification in the world for sustainable viticulture). montinore.com

Located in Rutherford, the winery that had a commitment to sustainability since its inception in 1973 won a 2018 Green Medal Award for Business. It has 45 harvests under its belt and is notable for its Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon varietals, as well as its blends. The winery has over 580 acres of vineyards and is housed in a modern building designed by William Turnbull Jr. cakebread.com

This 1,033-acre estate in the Lorane Valley of the Willamette region achieved biodynamic certification in 2016, when it was the largest such vineyard in the U.S. With its four acres of solar panels, it is still one of the largest organic vineyards in the world and a major producer of Pinot Gris in the country. The estate was designed by Lorie Doolittle-Bowman of BBN architects, in the French Renaissance style, and received an award for design excellence from the American Institute of Architects. kingestate.com

Founded by the House of Champagne Louis Roederer in California’s Anderson Valley in 2011, this estate adheres to strict biodynamic principles, like its parent winery, and was certified in 2016. The vineyard integrates crops and livestock into its farming lifestyle, using recycled nutrients and an adherence to lunar phases and the zodiac calendar. It produces some of the finest Burgundy-inspired Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the country. domaineanderson.com

A nine-hectare vineyard that is an ode to biodynamic farming, Clos d’Ora is a special place. Situated at an altitude of 720 feet, it is enclosed in a rather archaic fashion with dry-stone walls. The estate uses dynamized water to spray the vines instead of harsh chemicals, everything used at the vineyard is locally sourced, and the building designed by architect Jean-Frédéric Luscher is made of 30,000 insulating bricks with a beautiful bamboo roof. The vineyard specializes in Syrah, Mourvèdre, ancient Carignan, and Grenache grapes. The highlight of a visit might well be seeing the handsome mules, Victorieux and Vanina, plow the soil the old-fashioned way. gerard-bertrand.com

Located in the famed wine region of Stellenbosch is the organic vineyard Reyneke, which began as a farm in 1863. It is herbicide-, pesticide-, and fungicide-free, independently certified, and the kind of place that allows dandelion weeds to grow. The vineyard primarily grows Syrah, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinotage grape varietals. reynekewines.co.za