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Voodoo Vintners: Oregon's Astonishing Biodynamic Winegrowers Paperback – June 15, 2011

by Katherine Cole (Author)

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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.

Voodoo Vintners: Oregon's Astonishing Biodynamic Winegrowers

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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

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Product Details

Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: Oregon State University Press; First Edition edition (June 15, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0870716050
ISBN-13: 978-0870716058
Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.5 x 8.9 inches
Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #686,626 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #85 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Gardening & Landscape Design > By Region > West
- #234 in Books > Science & Math > Agricultural Sciences > Horticulture
- #320 in Books > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Cooking Methods > Organic

Customer Reviews

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Top Customer Reviews

Interesting, balanced, and fun coverage of biodynamic winegrowers in Oregon

BySitting in Seattleon June 10, 2011

Format: PaperbackVerified 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!

0Comment 15 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Necessary read for wine overs

ByDavid C. Stewarton May 9, 2012

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.

0Comment 8 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Nicely Done Overview

ByMark Stanleyon August 27, 2014

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I recently published Creating World Class Red Wine on Amazon. It could be described as kind of a top-down study of how the finest wines in the world are actually made--Hands on winemaking.
Here author Katherine Cole approaches the dodgy subject of biodynamism from a reporter's perspective, by interviewing Oregon viticulturists and winemakers engaged in the practice, and offering her opinions.
Her style is fun, young and whimsical. The book is written in a slightly more informal style than her professional wine reviews. The incomplete sentences threw me off at first, but then I just got used to them. Katherine is not a winegrower or winemaker, but she lives, breaths and works in the midst of it all in Oregon. The influences of both Burgundy and California are outlined as well.
The differences between organic viticulture, vinification and biodynamic winegrowing and winemaking are covered quite well. She illustrates how there is no absolute established dogma for any of the disciplines, except perhaps biodynamic Demeter certification.
Demeter is quirky, particularly the winemaking rules. “Though shalt not” almost everything. For example: A Demeter certified winemaker is not allowed to use a commercial yeast—well---unless you end up with a stuck fermentation—then it's okay. That's funny. Then why have the rule in the first place? Personally, I feel aligned with the biodynamic viticultural ideas, but there is no way I could tolerate some organization of British non-winemakers breathing down my neck telling me what I shall do (and tithing them to do it). Yes, it is almost like a religious organization. Winemaking and winegrowing techniques are evolving constantly, and should be encouraged to do so. We are learning more every day. I prefer to say “no” to limitations.
This is not a how-to book about biodynamics, rather an objective overview. For anyone interested in the practice, this is a good place to start. It is an enjoyable read for both professionals and wine lovers.

11 comment 2 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

A terrific book

ByBrendan Burkeon July 13, 2013

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

The author jumps into biodynamics with a scientific mind and open heart. My personal interest in biodynamics is to learn how to farm as a piece of an ecosystem and not a master of a domain. That being said my personal approach to biodynamics is one of science and personal intuition. She does a good job covering the astrological and metaphysical parts without really siding for or against. This would be a difficult read if it were to proselytize the metaphysical side of biodynamics but I am glad it doesn't ignore it since its a huge part of the story. Great book.

0Comment One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Most Recent Customer Reviews

Informative but not for my vineyard

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.Read more

Published on September 10, 2012 by Robert A

A very nice read for those with some interest in viticulture ~

Being a long time wine industry veteran, I picked this up to investigate a little bit of the mystique behind biodynamic (BD) wines and the application of BD practices in Oregon.Read more

Published on May 17, 2012 by Christopher Barrett

Engaging and insightful read!

This is a wonderful book for wine lovers, viticulture enthusiasts, or anyone just looking for a great book to tote to the beach this summer.Read more

Published on June 5, 2011 by RMS

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