PREVENTIVE AGRICULTURE
BIODYNAMICS
We view the land as a living entity which needs all its organs in order to function properly.
PRELUDE
In the late 20th century, the widespread establishment of monoculture, the excessive use of “systemic” products, and the resulting degeneration of animal and plant life in the soil and subsoil, made the search for an alternative imperative. A re-thinking of values and priorities, requiring the making of some important and permanent changes, were necessary, if we were not to lose our greatest legacy: the land.
IDENTITY OF THE LAND
This is why we asked Lydia and Claude Bourguignon ‘consultants specialized in soil microbiology’ to carry out an in-depth study of our soils, with the objective of recovering the life therein, and continuing to reflect the identity of our land within our wines. To achieve this, we are working according to the precepts of agrology, a discipline based on a close observation and management of all the factors that influence our land and our habitat, a compendium of organic growing and biodynamics.
HOW DO WE UNDERSTAND BIODYNAMICS?
It was founded in 1924 by Rudolf Steiner in response to the concerns of farmers who saw that their lands were under threat. Biodynamics is a growing method that goes beyond simply prohibiting the use of chemical and synthetic products, as is the case with organic growing.
Biodynamic growing promotes the revitalisation of vines, with the aim of increasing levels of biodiversity: spontaneous grass cover is maintained to obtain spongy soils, infusions and decoctions of plants are applied to ward off pests, and animal and vegetal compost is produced for use as food for the earth and the plants.
OBSERVATION – CONTINUOUS LEARNING
When carrying out work on our vines and soils, we respect the belief in the influence of the moon and the universe.
We are always conscious of the fact that nature has a direct and important influence on our vineyards, and consider it our duty to learn to interpret her.
VEGETAL COVER
Live vegetal cover is a technique used to maintain the soil in the vineyards. This cover can be spontaneous, leaving the flora to grow naturally, or it can be induced.
It is an effective soil-care system used in biodynamic growing. It helps regulate the retention and drainage of water, encourages biodiversity and the proliferation of the natural enemies of the common vineyard pests. It reduces the risk of erosion and improves soil structure, enriching it with organic matter and activating microbial life.
COMPOST FROM OUR FARM
We make animal and plant compost from our own farm – a fundamental pillar of biodynamic agriculture.
The farm is located in a unique environment that is surrounded by vineyards and in which different types of animals cohabit. Among others, we have sheep, chickens and horses which – aside from giving us the compost with which we make biodynamic preparations – contribute to generating greater microbial activity for our vineyards.
BIODYNAMICS PREPARATIONS
MEDICINALS PLANTS
We care for our vineyards with preventive infusions made from medicinal plants grown in our garden of nettles, dandelions, yarrow, horsetail, valerian, etc. These decoctions activate defence systems which act against potential pests, fungi or diseases.
ALIANCES PER LA TERRA
We work around 450 hectares using biodynamic principles. Of these, 85 belong to the Gramona family and the rest come from Aliances per la Terra (Partnership for the Earth), the association of wine growers established in 2015 and headed by Gramona, which shares a common philosophy of working the vineyards in an environmentally-friendly manner. The association’s members have collectively and collaboratively followed a gradual, natural evolution intended to bring new life to the soil and the countryside to which it belongs.
Biodynamic certification since 2014
In 2014 we obtained the Demeter seal, which certifies the biodynamic agriculture of our vineyards. Likewise, the winemaking process carried out in the winery is also Demeter certified. This double recognition, for viticulture and winemaking, is unusual among the wines of our country.
