S3E7: Farming Philosophies - Biodynamics

Cow horns filled with crystals buried under a full moon. Potions brewed of chamomile, stinging nettle and fermented cow dung. Energizing vortexes and humans developing the characteristics of the animals that fertilize their foods. Are these instructions from a magical book of spells, or a practical guide to viticulture?  Happy Halloween and welcome back to Roadside Terroir - Season 3 - Farming for Terroir. This episode explores the witchy world of biodynamics in order to discover whether this mystical method has a real influence on the vines and the wines themselves, or if it's all just a hoax. We begin by peering into the spiritual side with Andreas Schumann of the famed biodynamic farm at Odinstal. We break down the detailes of the cosmic cycles, spooky preparations, and greater philosophies of biodynamics. We then take a look at the practical side with a review of the scientific research that has been done to try to understand how this hocus pocus might really work before discussing why biodynamics might be the most terroir-focused farming practice that we can find with experts Paul Wasserman and Rodrigo Soto. Thank you for Listening to Roadside Terroir! The episode is sponsored by the wonderful team at Becky Wasserman and Company. Thank you to our guests: Rodrigo Soto, Andreas Schumann, Paul Wasserman, and Frédéric and Clothilde Lafarge. Thank you, as always, to our grand cru patrons Steven and Amy Lipin. If you liked this episode, please share it and give us a review–it really does make a difference! And don't forget to hit subscribe. This season wouldn't be possible without the support from all of you–Check out our website roadsideterroir.com to learn more about THIS SEASON, and HOW TO SUPPORT THE SHOW by staying in touch, donating, sponsoring, or becoming a Roadside Insider. Insiders get access to extended interviews, maps, photos, and more–including invitations to events and travel opportunities to explore terroirs around the world with us.  Credits: Roadside Terroir is hosted and produced by Brenna Quigley Sound engineering, original music and sound design by Jeff Alvarez Research, writing, and hosting support by Paul Knittel With special thanks to Clare Shaheen and Esa Eslami. Check out our website roadsideterroir.com to learn more about THIS SEASON and HOW TO SUPPORT THE SHOW . UPDATE LINKS Resources: Goode, Jamie. The New Viticulture: The science of growing grapes for wine. Flavour Press, 2023. Brown, Elaine Chukan. The Wines of California. Academie du Vin Library Ltd, 2025. Reganold, J. P. "Effects of Biodynamic and Conventional Farming on Soil Quality in New Zealand." Department of Crop and Soil Sciences Washington State University Pullman, Washington, USA (1993). Meissner, Georg, et al. "Conversion to organic and biodynamic viticultural practices: impact on soil, grapevine development and grape quality." OENO one 53.4 (2019). Michael Olbrich-Majer (2017): Über das Geistige in der Möhre: Einführende Betrachtungen zur biodynamischen Landwirtschaft. Romana Echensperger (2020): Von der Freiheit, den richtigen Wein zu machen: Biodynamisches Winzerhandwerk im Portrait. Aaron Ayscough: The World of Natural Wine: What It Is, Who Makes It, and Why It Matters. Artisan, 2022.

Can you really taste a place? Is minerality a myth? How did these concepts influence the creation of the famous crus of Burgundy?  This episode takes a brief departure from our Season 3 deep dive into the Terroir of Farming to explore one of the most important skills we can develop as wine tasters – how to taste terroir. This episode takes place deep in the heart of Los Angeles at our friend Abe Schoener's intimate 12 Seats symposium series, and we are guided by our longtime supporter, mentor, and friend, Paul Wasserman. Paul begins by blinding the group on three wines – but instead of asking us to identify what they are, he leads us through a series of exercises to help expand our palates, and our minds. Together we taste and explore the connections between place, minerality, and the soul of a wine. Tasting for terroir is both a practical exercise and one that helps us to connect to the deeper meaning behind the wines in our glass. So pour yourself a taste of your favorite terroir, and get ready to see it in a whole new light. This episode is sponsored by Becky Wasserman and Co, who represent the wines featured in this tasting. EDIT: Upon review of this episode I was reminded that I did not originally meet Paul in Burgundy, but one year prior, in the Loire with our good friend, the legendary importer Ted Vance of The Source Imports. I chalk up my error here to my sleep deprived baby-brain at the time.    CREDITS Roadside Terroir is hosted and produced by me, Brenna Quigley Sound engineering, original music and sound design by Jeff Alvarez – with an assist from Nick Canepa. Thank you to Paul Wasserman, Abe Schoener, Clare Shaheen, Paul Knittel, and Kayley Wineburger. If you liked this episode, please share it and give us a review–it really does make a difference! And don't forget to hit subscribe. Thank you, as always, to our grand cru patrons Steven and Amy Lipin. This season wouldn't be possible without the support from all of you–Check out our website roadsideterroir.com to learn more about THIS SEASON, and HOW TO SUPPORT THE SHOW by staying in touch, donating, sponsoring, or becoming a Roadside Insider. Insiders get access to extended interviews, maps, photos, and more–including invitations to events just like this one, and trips to explore terroirs around the world with me.    Thank you for listening.  

Many of us consider organic farming to be just the starting point in the search for responsibly farmed wines. But what does it take to farm a vineyard organically, and how common are organically certified grapes? Is it easier to be organic in some terroirs than in others? And where did this whole organic movement come from in the first place? Today we'll take a look at organic practices by tracing the history of farming back to its roots. Join us as we take a tour of the 100 year old vines of Domaine Pierre Gonon with the beloved Jean Gonon himself as he illustrates just how much hard work goes into farming the vines that produce his moving wines. While we're there, we will explore the history of organic farming, and the rise of conventional farming that preceded it. We will break down what it takes to get a certification and how geology determines how difficult it will be to farm fully organically – with additional commentary from lots of our friends and mentors along the way. The episode is sponsored by the wonderful team at Becky Wasserman and Company. Thank you to our guests: Jean Gonon and Paul Wasserman, and for the additional commentary from Michele Chapel, Rodrigo Soto, Abe Schoener, Eduard Vocoret, and Camille Thiriet. We're so excited to have you along for the ride! Don't forget to hit subscribe below and check out our new YouTube channel where you can find photos, maps, and transcripts to go along with each episode. And don't forget to join our special group of Roadside Insiders so you can join along on our next Roadside adventure! Credits: Roadside Terroir is hosted and produced by Brenna Quigley Sound engineering, original music and sound design by Jeff Alvarez Research and writing support by Paul Knittel With special thanks to Hautes Cotes, Clare Shaheen, Esa Eslami, Michel Joly, Thibault Bevilacqua, and our Grand Cru Patrons Steven and Amy Lipin. Check out our website roadsideterroir.com to learn more about THIS SEASON and HOW TO SUPPORT THE SHOW. Santé!   References: Books: Elaine Chukan Brown (2025): The Wines of California. Jamie Goode (2023): The New Viticulture. Aaron Ayscough (2022): The World of Natural Wine. Jancis Robinson (2015 [4th Edition]): The Oxford Companion to Wine.  Jamie Goode (2014): Wine Science. Jeff Lowenfels & Wayne Lewis (2010): Teaming with Microbes.  R. Brunet (1910): Le matériel viticole. Frederic T. Bioletti (1907): Oidium or powdery mildew of the vine. Freiherr von Babo (1842): Der Weinbau. Dargestellt in der Reihenfolge der vorkommenden Arbeiten. B. A. Lenoir (1828): Traité de la culture de la vigne et de la vinification.   Essays & articles: FiBL (Forschungsinstitut für Biologischen Landbau): The World of Organic Agriculture Report 2025. Fabien Knittel (2025): Fertilisers in France in the nineteenth century. Simon Nordestgaard (2022): History and recent developments in under-vine weeding equipment. Kat Eschner (2017): How One Mycologist Saved France's Wine (Among Other Things) Leonard Gianessi and Ashley Williams (2011): Fungicides Have Protected European Wine Grapes for 150 Years. Paul Brassley (2006): British farming between the wars. Hilary P. M. Winchester (1986): Agricultural Change and Population Movements in France 1892-1929.   Websites: Encyclopedia Britannica on herbicides, fungicides and insecticides: https://www.britannica.com IFOAM (International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements): https://www.ifoam.bio USDA (United States Department of Agriculture): https://www.usda.gov EU Commission: https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/farming/organic-farming/organic-logo_de

Seiichi Saito of Domaine Petit-Roy isn't organic, and yet he spent several years spraying his vines with with skim milk instead of sulfur. He studied desertification at university, but still tills his soils. Seiichi's farming defies the soundbites and stereotypes that many believe good farming should be, and yet his wisdom and insight couldn't be more obvious. This episode takes you into Seiichi's cellar during harvest of 2022 for an in-depth discussion about all of the fascinating farming details that contribute to making this topic such a complicated one.  This is a very special episode for Roadside Terroir as we welcome Roadside team member Paul Knittel for his hosting and production debut. Bravo, Paul! We're so excited to have you along for the ride! Don't forget to hit subscribe below and check out our new YouTube channel where you can find photos, maps, and transcripts to go along with each episode.  Episode 4: Petit-Roy Cast Study is sponsored by Becky Wasserman and Company. This episode and hosted and produced by Paul Knittle and co-produced by Brenna Quigley. * Roadside Terroir is hosted and produced by Brenna Quigley Sound engineering, original music and sound design by Jeff Alvarez Research and writing support by Paul Knittel With special thanks to Clare Shaheen and Esa Eslami. * Check out our website roadsideterroir.com to learn more about THIS SEASON and HOW TO SUPPORT THE SHOW .

Are farming methods practical choices, or philosophical ideals? And which is more important when you're choosing a bottle of wine for your Tuesday night dinner table? In Episode 3: Farming Philosophies - Part 1, we get to the heart of what producers and professionals care about most when it comes to farming-- certifications, or intentions? The episode starts out with a deep philosophical inquiry with Abe Schoener of the Scholium Project and the Los Angeles River Wine Company, before digging into the reality of these concepts with the lovable and brilliant Chiara Pepe of Emidio Pepe--all with the added context and commentary by everybody's favorite exporter, Paul Wasserman of Becky Wasserman and Company. We're so excited to have you along for the ride! Don't forget to hit subscribe below and check out our new YouTube channel where you can find photos, maps, and transcripts to go along with each episode.  Roadside Terroir is hosted and produced by Brenna Quigley Sound engineering, original music and sound design by Jeff Alvarez With special thanks to Paul Knittel, Clare Shaheen, Esa Eslami, and Michel Joly.  Check out our website roadsideterroir.com to learn more about THIS SEASON and HOW TO SUPPORT THE SHOW . Cheers!  

Season 3 Episode 2: Verticals Join us for an inside look at one of the most celebrated tastings of the year: The Verticals Tasting at La Paulee.  In this episode we go behind the scenes to talk to some of the most inspiring Burgundian producers to see how terroir, tradition, and taste evolve over time --  and how this is all expressed in the glass. We'll geek about SO2 and trellising systems while tasting vintages that date back to the 90s with the people who know them best. We're so excited to have you along for the ride! Don't forget to hit subscribe below and check out our new YouTube channel where you can find photos, maps, and transcripts to go along with each episode.  Thank you to our guests: Lucie Germain (Domaine Henri Germain), Pierre-Henri Rougeot, David Croix, and Andrew Nielsen, as well as Daniel Jhonnes and La Paulée for giving us access to this wonderful event.  CREDITS: Roadside Terroir is hosted and produced by Brenna Quigley Sound engineering, original music and sound design by Jeff Alvarez with an assist from Nick Canepa With special thanks to Clare Shaheen, Paul Knittel, Esa Eslami, and Michel Joly.  Check out our website roadsideterroir.com to learn more about THIS SEASON, this episode, and HOW TO SUPPORT THE SHOW . And remember, 10% of all Insider memberships purchased in the month of August will go towards supporting farmworkers and immigrants in CA. If you want to support them directly check out the California Farmworkers Foundation at californiafarmworkers.org and Napa Valley Together at napavalleytogether.org.  Sante!  

What does geology have to do with farming? Could historic farming practices be the key to tackling modern climate challenges? How does a place shape the way vines are cared for—and how much does any of this actually matter in the glass? Season 3 of Roadside Terroir: Farming for Terroir is here! We're diving into all these questions (& more) in our brand-new season, exploring what it means to truly farm for terroir. In Episode 1: Why Farming Matters we: *  Meet Cyril Courvoisier, a rising star of Cornas, regeneratively farming its steep slopes against all odds *  Learn how tradition and climate change collide with the fearless Michelle Smith-Chapel in Beaujolais *  And hear from Rodrigo Soto of Far Mountain in Sonoma on whether great farming really changes how wine tastes From France to California, we're driving deep into the dirt with some of the most visionary vignerons we know. Credits: Produced & hosted by Brenna Quigley Sound & music by Jeff Alvarez Research & writing assist by Paul Knittel With special thanks to Clare Shaheen, Esa Eslami, and Michel Joly. And an extra special thanks to our Grand Cru Patrons Steven and Amy Lipin! More Info and How to Support the Show: We're so excited to have you along for the ride! Don't forget to hit subscribe below and check out our new YouTube channel for photos, maps, and transcripts to go along with each episode.  This season wouldn't be possible without your support!–Check out our website roadsideterroir.com to learn more about this Season, this episode, and how to help support this season by donating, sponsoring, or becoming a Roadside Insider – where you get access to exclusive bonus material, gifts, and more! This August, 10% of all Roadside Insider memberships will go towards supporting farmworkers and immigrants in CA. If you want to support them directly check out the California Farmworkers Foundation at californiafarmworkers.org and Napa Valley Together at napavalleytogether.org.  Resources: Health effects of herbicides and its current removal strategies. Bioengineered 2023, Sep 25. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10761135/#s0004 Pesticide Atlas. Heinrich-Böll-Foundation, 2022. https://eu.boell.org/sites/default/files/2023-04/pesticideatlas2022_ii_web_20230331.pdf Chemins de Mémoire. Ministère des armées France. https://www.cheminsdememoire.gouv.fr/en/revue/reconstruction The common agricultural policy (CAP) and the Treaty. Fact Sheet. European Parliament. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/factsheets/en/sheet/103/the-common-agricultural-policy-cap-and-the-treaty Cheers! Brenna and the Roadside Team  

Roadside Terroir Season 3: Farming for Terroir is coming August 1st! Listen in for updates about our third season of Roadside Terroir -- from where we're headed to how often you'll hear from us. Plus a preview of the inspirational voices you'll come to admire just as much as we have. Don't forget to check out our YouTube Channel for maps and images paired with each episode. Subscribe today so you don't miss out! Want to support the show? Become a Roadside Insider to help keep the show on the road and all of the perks that come along with it. See you soon! This trailer was created by Brenna Quigley, Jeff Alvarez, Clare Shaheen, and Paul Knittel. 

A sneak peek at the upcoming third season of Roadside Terroir. New Episodes Coming soon. TRANSCRIPT: New Episodes of Roadside Terroir – coming soon! Can't wait for more? Check out our new YouTube channel and revisit past episodes paired with carefully curated images, detailed maps, and videos!  – out now! And check out our website roadsideterroir.com to learn how to support the show and become a Roadside Insider. See you soon.  

The Season 2 FINALE of Roadside Terroir focuses on the hopes, challenges, and terroirs that hint at what the future has in store for the Côte d'Or. The episode begins in the southern villages of Santenay and Maranges where we hunt for granitic terroirs and discuss the growing popularity of natural wines. We then head deep into the Hautes Côtes to find the spirit of this newly popular region and attempt to identify the characteristics of its taste. Next, we visit some unassuming vineyards with exceptional farmers in order to explore the relevance of terroir in a farmer's world. Finally, we end up right where we began, in the center of Beaune, celebrating the history of the Ventes des Vins and the exciting future of this beloved region. Thank you to our guests: Talloulah Dubourg, Seiichi Saito, and Nicolas Faure. And thank you to all of the incredible experts who have provided their commentary and guidance in this episode and throughout the season: Paul Wasserman, Daniel Johnnes, Rajat Parr, Jasper Morris, Françoise Vannier, Aaron Ayscough, and Helen Johannesen. This episode was created by Brenna Quigley, Nick Canepa, and Jeff Alvarez. With support from Esa Eslami, Ali Massie, Julia Wiggin, and our Grand Cru Patrons Steven and Amy Lipin. This episode is sponsored by The Hitching Post Wines – thank you for your generosity and for championing innovation and the love of wine in Santa Barbara County, Burgundy, and beyond Thank you to our season 2 partners for making this season possible: Becky Wasserman & Co, La Paulee, and Acker Wines Check out our website roadsideterroir.com for more details and a full transcript of this episode, plus information about our team and how to support this season. Thank you for listening--don't forget to hit subscribe!