This is the last week of the domestic wine sale and it couldn’t come at a better time to show our support for the wineries in the Napa Valley who were hit by the earthquake this week. We wish them luck with the clean-up and recovery.

The featured wines this week are from the Willamette Valley: Cooper Hill Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir from Cooper Mountain. Cooper Mountain practices Biodynamic viticulture. Created in the 1920s by Rudolf Steiner as a method for sustainable agricultural and is widely practiced in Europe and the United States. Steiner was known for his philosophies and theories about combining science and spirituality. Biodynamic farming approaches the vineyard or farm as a single organism that is self-sustaining.

Some of the important features include the use of livestock manures to sustain plant growth (recycling of nutrients), maintenance and improvement of soil quality, and the health and well-being of crops and animals. Cover crops, green manures and crop rotations are used extensively on the farms to foster the diversity of plant and animal life, and to enhance the biological cycles and the biological activity of the soil. What set apart biodynamics from organic and sustainable practices are its spiritual and somewhat mythical aspects. Lunar and astrological influences on soil and plant development are a large part of the practice. For example, both the phase of the moon and the zodiacal constellation the moon is passing through affect the timing of planting, cultivation or harvesting various crops . You could almost call it organic on steroids.

Cooper Mountain is certified biodynamic. The Demeter Certification, created in 1924, was the first organic certification. Farms must meet many guidelines of farming and processing standards. Here are the Demeter guidelines if you want more information.

Pinot Gris $11.49 Sale $10.34 Pinot Noir $16.99 Sale $15.29