Traditional methods: A new update

For the past decade or so, winemakers have been seeking to return to more traditional methods in order to produce better wines and promote biodynamics.

From harvest to bottling, many traditional methods that had long since fallen out of use have now been revived.

Back to the Land

Due to studies showing that pesticides are far too prevalent in our wines, many winemakers are choosing to switch to sustainable or organic farming. From hand-picking the grapes to select only the best clusters to fermenting the wine in amphorae, it is now essential for some to avoid so-called “technological” wines and instead prioritize the true nectar of the earth.

To avoid using pesticides and promote better vine growth, some winemakers don’t hesitate to use wild animals—such as sheep or cows—to graze on weeds and allow the vines to thrive.

Natural, biodynamic, and organic wine: what are the differences?

Back to the traditional method

Like the Georgians, the new generation of winemakers is investing in terracotta jars or amphorae to make their wine. The goal is to rediscover the true taste of wine by replacing the famous oak barrels with these ancient vessels used by our ancestors. It is important to know that oak imparts a range of woody aromas that some winemakers no longer want to find in their wine. Furthermore, amphorae and jars are tools dating back to antiquity that have proven their worth over thousands of years. What is a cellar filled with terracotta jars? A return to ancestral methods!

The horse comes galloping back

You’re probably familiar with horse-drawn plowing, right? The key advantage of using an animal instead of a machine is the precision of the work. In fact, each vine is treated individually, and the soil is far less damaged by the horse’s weight than by that of a machine. The vibrations from the machine are very harmful to the soil (they disrupt its structure), and the horse allows for thorough weeding even between the vine rows. If you watch the vineyard in full swing, isn’t it more authentic to see a horse crossing the field with the help of the winemaker? Plus, it’s much quieter!

It is fascinating to see how wine production and viticulture have evolved using older—yet equally effective—methods for crafting great wines!

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