Walking with the Wizard

Alvaro Espinoza is one of Chile’s most widely recognized winemakers and has been part of many successful projects, including the introduction of biodynamic agriculture for winemaking grapes.

In 1998, while Alvaro was working in California, he met and worked with Alan York, a worldwide known Biodynamic Consultant. Alan gave him a book about Rudolf Steiner. This was a critical point of change for Alvaro – it utterly altered his views on nature.

Personally I am really interested in his methodologies and understanding more about the processes that are used by the many wineries that he consults to, both in Chile and other winemaking regions. I was lucky enough to organise an exclusive visit with him when I recently travelled to Chile. I was invited to meet him at “Los Robles” Farm, in the Colchagua valley. This is where “Emiliana”, the Chilean winery most recognised for its work with organic and biodynamic wines, is situated.

Click to see Interactive view of Emiliana Vineyard
( http//www.emiliana.cl/organic-biodynamic/interactive-vineyard/ )

This visit was definitely on of the highlights of my trip, without a doubt.

Alvaro has been the Consulting Winemaker of many wineries in Chile and in other wine countries. He has helped create the premium organic and biodynamic wines from the Casablanca, Maipo, and Colchagua Valleys, Chile’s most prestigious wine regions. Bottles like: GE, COYAM and ANTIYAL are part of his legacy.

As soon as I got there I said straight away that I wanted a to hear a summary of everything that he has done so far at the Emiliana winery. It seemed like a pretty big question but he gave me a great overview as well as a complete explanation of biodynamic techniques, with fantastic infectious enthusiasm.

As he explained we walked through the vineyards, and he told me quite a few stories, in his own particular style, and pointed out relevant examples as we went. He explained (in broad terms) his commitment to farming aimed at increasing biodiversity with a total absence of agrochemicals. It’s a great challenge I’m sure you can imagine. He said, “only someone who is already a good farmer can develop good biodynamic agriculture techniques”

He is visibly passionate about all that he is involved in. He believes that the prime objective of this type of agriculture is to produce healthier foods and restore biodiversity, as well as aiming to reverse the problems generated by conventional agriculture, such as soil degradation, desertification, pollution and contamination, the loss of genetic diversity, and the presence of toxic residues in the harvests - and that’s just for starters.

He also gave me great insight into how a vineyard can be genuinely self-sustaining, without the need for external chemicals or products. This isn’t a popular concept for corporations but it makes so much sense on a community level. Reducing our footprint on the planet, eradicating waste, and nurturing the correct balance of life.

In addition to their commercial crops they have also introduced of animals for fertilisers, wild flowers for insects, and a nursery for developing seedlings [both for food and biodynamic preparation] which overall further enhance the holistic nature of the farm. Interestingly they are also very involved on a community level, with children from local schools regularly visiting, and workers on the farm being allocated a half day a week of their working time to be able to develop food for their families, and sharing their knowledge and educating as far as possible.

I have to say that one of the most interesting points of the visit for me was when we went to the storage area of the biodynamics preparations. It had such a sense of medieval times, when it would really have been a wizard that collected all the ingredients and prepared the potions, and developed the plans for the development of the crops. It gave me a realisation of how much relevant knowledge is actually based in our history, and how worthwhile it is to learn more from the experiences of past generations.

Alvaro was happy to tell me all that he could about his world and I am so grateful to have had such a fantastic and educational experience at the farm, on a beautiful piece of land, in the piedmont of the Colchagua hills, close to Nancagua.

Alvaro’s knowledge opened my eyes and his passion added to my enthusiasm for the future. I hope that one day I can develop a property using his achievements as my guide to balance with nature, and produce wonderful results also.

He is known as “the moth” between his colleagues [university nickname] but I think that ‘The wizard’ might be more appropriate, because the scope of his knowledge in the area of biodynamics and the results of his efforts are nothing short of magical…

Posted by David Stevens-Castro