DrinkTheEarth.com Blog

Through recent correspondence we’ve had with Demeter USA, there are currently more than 50 certified biodynamic wineries in the United States (more if you count individual vineyards that have been certified).  The existence of organic bars such as Terroir in San Francisco, and GustOrganics in NYC has shown us that some consumers have begun to make the distinction between organic/biodynamic and traditional wines in the marketplace.  Many wineries we’ve personally spoken to over the past year have said they are either pursuing or investigating sustainability efforts.  Will that translate into more wineries achieving biodynamic certification?  Requiring a significant long-term commitment, biodynamic farming is not for everyone.

For their part, Demeter USA expects to certify at least 20 additional wineries this year.  All but only a select few of the presently certified wineries hail from either California, Oregon, and Washington, undoubtedly the heart of the American wine industry.  We hope to see increases in the number of biodynamic producers from not only the organic hotbed regions of Mendocino and the Willamette Valley, but in areas further east such as New York state.  Only time will tell if 2009 is to be a significant year for growth in biodynamic winemaking.