Ep. 315 Biodynamics & Regeneration with Darek Trowbridge

A true expression of the land... Pastoral Winemaker, Darek Trowbridge celebrates the diversity in the vineyard, creating wines that are well balanced, provocative and true to the grapes.  Nothing is added to the wine except a minimal amount of protective sulfur. In 2012 Darek started making a Regenerative Composted Mulch for use in his Biodynamic and Regenerative farming and to help revive 120 year old vines that his great Grandfather once tended. From that success he has brought this material to 6 other ranches that are now farmed by Darek regeneratively. In addition, Darek grows food crops and eggs on a small market garden using the Regenerative Composted Mulch. This has provided sustenance for many customers, friends and family and acts like a demonstration project for visitors to see how to grow crops without (soil organic matter destroying) tillage using Darek’s soil amendment. And whether it’s wine grapes or zucchini Darek is always sequestering carbon into the soil without subsequent loss back into the atmosphere via tillage. As one of the leaders in the field of “Natural Wines” Darek Trowbridge uses century old techniques to produce chemical free wines that become a singular expression of the winemaker, the grapes and the land. Darek has been making biodynamic wines at Old World Winery for 20 years.  His passion is inviting nature into his winemaking using 120 year old field blends and rare varietals.  Using only the grapes and the naturally occurring native yeast to create wines, Darek knows his wines become the true expression of the natural beauty that exists in the vineyard.