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Can Wine Grapes Be Grown Without Chemicals?
by Cliff Ohmart | 11.09.2015
 
 
I am so tired of reading articles reporting that growers who farm organically or Biodynamically are growing their wine grapes without the use of chemicals. I am not criticizing these growers, mind you, but the writers who write about them.

It is an inaccurate statement and misrepresentative to say that these “green” grapegrowers don’t use chemicals in their farming. It is inaccurate because it is an impossible thing to do. In fact, one cannot grow anything without the use of chemicals. This line of thinking implies that growers who farm without the use of chemicals are the good guys, growing their wine grapes in harmony with nature, while those that farm using chemicals are the bad guys poisoning the workers, the consumers, polluting our rivers and streams and killing all the wildlife.

My guess is these inaccurate statements are being used due to writers’ lack of basic knowledge about biology. When I was growing up, almost everyone took basic biology, but I do not believe this is the case anymore. So many people simply do not understand how plants grow.

l consulted the online Webster’s dictionary for the definition of a chemical. A chemical is “of, relating to, used in, or produced by chemistry or the phenomena of chemistry.” Chemistry is “a science that deals with the composition, structure, and properties of substances and with the transformations that they undergo.” Life is not possible without chemicals and chemical reactions, and it is not possible to produce good wine without the use of them, either.

Now some may say that “growing wine grapes without the use of chemicals” means that none are required to be actively applied to the vineyard. However, as far as I know, no matter where winegrapes are grown in the world, all growers are applying at least some chemicals to their vineyards. For example, in dry climates it is necessary to apply water. Water is a chemical. Compost is a complex mix of chemicals. Powdery mildew is the scourge of winegrapes throughout the world—particularly in humid regions—and chemicals are applied to control it. Organic and Biodynamic growers use chemicals approved by their organic certification programs, most of which are naturally derived. They are chemicals nonetheless.

It is ironic that Biodynamic farming is the only farming method I know of that actually requires the use of chemicals in order to achieve certification. You know those plant materials one puts into the cow horn and buries at solstice? Yup, those are chemicals. The material that comes out of the cow horn when dug up the following solstice and applied to compost or sprayed in the vineyard? Those, too, are chemicals. The other preparations that Rudolph Steiner developed and that must be applied to a vineyard in order to be certified Biodynamic? You’ve got it: Those are also chemicals.

So I wish reporters, bloggers and columnists who write about organic and Biodynamic wine grape growers would tell it like it is, which is they use chemicals to grow their wine grapes. I will let others fight about which farming method is better than the others and whether naturally derived chemicals are better than synthetic ones or vice versa.

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LATEST READER COMMENTS
 
 
Posted on 11.18.2015 - 08:12:03 PST
 
It sounds like your problem is with semantics, not with the application of products to enhance grape production. Sadly, our nation as a whole is lacking in knowledge of science, so we continue to justify the use of known carcinogenics and environmental pollutants in our farming techniques. Read the labels and decide which "chemicals" are good for human consumption and the environment. Meanwhile, English is not a perfect language, so perhaps the addition of the term "harmful" chemicals would be more appropriate.
 
Carol Collier
 
 
 
Posted on 12.23.2015 - 06:26:12 PST
 
If you review the Pesticide Use Reports filed with Santa Barbara County, you will discover most of the organic and biodynamic grape farmers are using the largest volume and the most environmentally damaging chemicals in the county. Most are synthetic petrochemicals. Greenwashing is a prominent marketing activity in our county. Many of the organic and especially the biodynamic farmer practices contradict the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It's not just our county, this applies worldwide. Very sad these farmers do not investigate the myths their beliefs are based on, but what can you expect when their marketing is based on telling the public what it wants to believe.
 
Hilliard
 
 
 
Posted on 12.23.2015 - 10:20:53 PST
 
This is a response to Hilliard's comment. I would be very surprised if certified organic or certified biodynamic winegrape growers were applying the most environmentally damaging synthetic chemicals in the county. If they are certified their pesticide use is carefully verified through on site audits and their rules do not allow the use of synthetic chemicals, including pesticides.
 
Cliff Ohmart
 
Davis, CA USA
 
 
Posted on 12.28.2015 - 22:42:08 PST
 
Hilliard - I do read the pesticide use reports for most counties that have vineyards and I am not sure which chemicals you are referring to. Perhaps you could share some more specific details. Like Cliff, I am dubious about your claim. Have you checked with the SBC ag commissioner? You can directly download the PURs for individual vineyards on their web site.

Cliff - Thanks - you make a good point. However it's often not understood by readers that the chemicals you mention - for instance, water - should be seen as chemicals. I think that writers should use the words "toxic chemicals" more often in trying to describe the harmful chemicals that are used. On the other hand, lots of organic or biodynamic growers use sulfur in the vines, and those are chemicals, to be sure - and in large quantities may have harmful, esp. in water systems. It's hard to get all those nuances into a sentence that a wine magazine editor will not edit out. Or that a reader will understand.
 
Pam Strayer
 
Oakland, CA USA
 
 
 
 
 
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