Voodoo Vintners: Oregon's Astonishing Biodynamic Winegrowers [Paperback]

Katherine Cole (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 15, 2011

Could cow horns, vortexes, and the words of a prophet named Rudolf Steiner hold the key to producing the most alluring wines in the world--and to saving the planet? In Voodoo Vintners wine writer Katherine Cole reveals the mysteries of biodynamic winegrowing, tracing its practice from Paleolithic times to the finest domaines in Burgundy today. At the epicenter of the American biodynamic revolution are the Oregon winemakers who believe that this spiritual style of farming results in the truest translations of terroir and the purest pinot noirs possible.
Cole introduces these "voodoo vintners," examining their motivations and rationalizations and explaining why the need to farm biodynamically courses through their blood.
Her engaging narrative answers the call of oenophiles everywhere for more information about this "beyond organic" style of farming.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The writing is clever, candid and heartfelt, and also really funny... Cole's book is a sensual, smart study of the Oregon wine world and the future of agriculture. Savor it slowly.
--Kerry Newberry, Oregon Wine Press

As a field report from Oregon's thriving sustainable wine country, this book delivers... Voodoo Vintners is an enjoyable--and necessary--read for anyone who might want to take wine in a more sustainable direction... --Ryan Clark, Civil Eats

About the Author

Katherine Cole has been a wine columnist for The Oregonian since 2002 and is the wine columnist and blind-tasting coordinator for MIX, Portland's Magazine of Food + Drink. She lives in Portland, Oregon. www.katherinecole.com

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Oregon State University Press (June 15, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0870716050
• ISBN-13: 978-0870716058
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.4 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #43,688 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #4 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Agricultural Sciences > Horticulture
  • #30 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Agricultural Sciences > Sustainable Agriculture
  • #39 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Botany

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, balanced, and fun coverage of biodynamic winegrowers in Oregon June 10, 2011

By Sitting in Seattle TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

If you've wondered exactly what biodynamic wine is, why winegrowers make it, and who they are, then this is the book for you. It presents the perfect mixture of explaining the concepts and practices of biodynamics, telling great stories about the individual wineries and winemakers, while maintaining a skeptical viewpoint that shows the odd parts of biodynamics without extolling it or condemning.

I'm a frequent visitor to Oregon wineries and have wondered exactly what "biodynamic" means. The book answers that in substantial detail -- not as a winegrowing manual, but from a readable, journalist's point of view: what is the difference from organic? what are the "preparations"? the role of the moon? the underlying beliefs? The author does a great job of presenting answers all around, without being tedious or overwhelming. It's the perfect introduction to those topics for interested wine aficionados. The author is not trying to convince anyone that biodynamic is better -- in fact, she is clearly skeptical of some aspects of it, which I appreciate -- and is instead just trying to explain it and tell its story.

One thing to note is that the book is *not* a guide to the wines themselves. It remains studiously neutral about the quality of the wines it discusses. In my opinion, some of the very best Oregon properties are biodynamic and make exquisite wine; yet there are also duds where I can only say things like "well, I like the idea." The author leaves aside such judgment. Instead, she tells the history of the biodynamic movement and its foundation in Rudolf Steiner's philosophy, skillfully woven with stories of individual wineries and the history of organic and biodynamic winegrowing.

In short, if you want a wine guide, this is not it (try John Haeger's Pacific Pinot Noir). Or if you want a manual for biodynamic farming or winemaking, it's definitely not that. But if you like reading about wine and winemakers, enjoy Oregon wine, and have ever wondered "what does biodynamic mean?" then it's the perfect book. Cheers!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative but not for my vineyard September 10, 2012

By Robert A

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Biodynamics is a good read. Its just I can't bury a cow horn 5-6 ft in the ground to ferment it during the winter and use it to make preps in the spring. I will use some of the methods along with organic to grow and vint my grapes (84 cases a year. The book was well written and does present all (and I mean all) side of the story in a plesant mannor. Enjoy the book its just a primer to advanced biodynamics

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Necessary read for wine overs May 9, 2012

By David C. Stewart

Format:Paperback

As life in our world becomes more industrialized and processed, the desire to get back to natural ways
of living and eating has touched off the move to trumpet the organic qualities of some foods. Wine as a drink
is supposed to represent the earth and climate like no other, so of course you would expect there to be
organic wine. You may have even heard of winemakers flaunting their "biodynamic" cred.

When my neighborhood winery advertized themselves as biodynamic, I didn't think too much about it. But Biodynamics
is about more than just avoiding toxic sprays. It specifies a range of herbal treatments for vines which
must be prepared in some really wacky ways. Think burying flowers in animal skulls for several months.

Cole does an excellent job researching the roots of biodynamics and presenting it in a balanced way. But what's
really wonderful about this book is the way she introduces us to the people of Oregon wine. Winemaking is relatively
new in Oregon, dating back to the 1970s. So the pioneers are still with us.

If you are an Oregonian, this is a special treat. For example, you can read about Moe Momtazi's hair-raising
escape from his native Iran. Then you can drive out to Maysara Vineyards and meet Moe himself and his
winemaking daughters.