Demeter wines

The best quality in harmony with man and nature: the philosophy of Demeter wines in a few words. The growing number of winegrowers using more and more biodynamic methods is astonishing and shows impressively that the biodynamic form of viticulture is nowadays a prerequisite for first-class, authentic wines with origin and character.

The declared aim of Demeter wines is individuality rather than average taste and sustainable farming in harmony with nature. Biodynamic viticulture and winemaking place high demands on the cultivation and the work in the cellar. Instead of the usual specialised knowledge of technology and chemistry, a high degree of intuition and intensive experience are required in the vineyard and in the cellar.

Wine should be the product of the soil and the microclimate, not of chemicals or technology "laboratories".

Demeter wine is characterised by a high level of quality by staying true to the essential nature, microclimate and soil. More depth, more complexity and more freshness. The soil of every Demeter farm is like a treasure chest, which is why winegrowers take special care of it. The many micro-organisms that settle in the soil are also important for the later aroma in the wine.

Instead of the usual mass product that meets the demands of the global market, you get a unique product that reflects the character of the winegrower and nature in a unique way. The soul of nature and the heart of our winemakers are reflected in the "heart and soul" of Demeter wines.

In addition, there is an interesting phenomenon in many Demeter wines: a high stability, especially in white wines. Wines quickly lose their quality and freshness after opening. This affects not only simple wines, but also expensive vintages. In contrast, Demeter wines have the ability to retain their quality and freshness, sometimes even beyond a few days after opening.

The diversity of plants, water, mineral and animal life is the basic guarantee for natural, healthy growth of vines and in turn leads to high quality grapes and wine. Demeter vineyards are living ecosystems with birds' nests, lizards and butterflies. Instead of the usual monoculture, Demeter farms rely on permaculture.

Weeds enrich the soil with nutrients and loosen it up at the same time. Karl Schnabel always emphasises how important it is to have a high level of biodiversity in the vineyard. Healthy soil produces healthy grapes and, in turn, good wines. Demeter winegrowers give more back to their vineyard with their gentle cultivation than they take away from it by growing and harvesting the grapes.

Only ripe and healthy grapes are harvested and processed. The end result is a high quality product, you can directly see, smell and taste the quality in the glass.

On average, Demeter wine yields per hectare are about 50% to 70% lower than those of a conventional farm (with about 91 to 110 hectolitres per hectare) that uses artificial or chemical fertilisers. This clearly shows that quality cannot be achieved through quantity, but through individual commitment, effort and dedication.

Whoever wants to buy Demeter wines should look for the orange Demeter seal.

Demeter is an internationally recognised certification for biodynamic agriculture and food. You probably know the seal from the supermarket. It is based on the principles of biodynamic agriculture developed by Rudolf Steiner. Demeter farmers have been successfully practising biodynamic agriculture since 1924. This living form of circular farming is considered one of the most sustainable methods of land management and far exceeds the requirements of the EU organic regulation.

At the heart of Demeter are biodynamic preparations, which are mandatory for every Demeter farm. The Latin word preparation means something like "the prepared, the prepared". The biodynamic preparations are vitalising preparations for soil and plants. As a kind of remedy for the earth, they also promote the growth and quality of plants as well as animal health. For their production, plant, mineral and animal substances are combined and exposed to natural forces in order to return them to nature in a modified form. The compost preparations are made from the medicinal plants yarrow, chamomile, nettle, oak bark, dandelion and valerian.