-
Pages
-
Categories
-
Archives
- October 2024
- September 2024
- August 2024
- July 2024
- June 2024
- March 2024
- February 2024
- November 2023
- May 2023
- January 2023
- October 2022
- July 2022
- May 2022
- February 2022
- October 2021
- September 2021
- August 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
Paul Dolan, Biodynamics and the North Coast Wine Challenge
Paul Dolan, Biodynamics and the North Coast Wine Challenge
I still recall my reaction to meeting Paul Dolan a few years ago. In advance I was hesitant knowing that he supported organic and Biodynamic principles. I wondered if he was he going to be one of “those” people who border on rudeness with respect to nature? Absolutely not, we soon discovered, that Paul is enthusiastic about organic and Biodynamic principles but he emphasizes education rather than passion.
Paul Dolan is a friendly, laidback winegrower and winemaker who is genuinely excited about Biodynamic principals. We were privileged to taste some of his wines and walked with Paul as he explained Biodynamic principles beginning with the buried female cows’ horns filled with manure that after months turn to compost and then used as a “tea” for the vineyards. Eventually we went through the vineyards past a vibrant and colorful flower garden that helps to attract beneficial insects. Finally we ended at a structure called a flow form. It resembles a waterfall. A tower collects rain and a solar powered pump moves the water up to the top where it then runs to the bottom becoming oxygenated along the way. The compost is added and mixed with the running water and then sprayed on the soil. For more about Paul Dolan read the article at http://winetrailtraveler.com/california/pauldolan.php. We were grateful that Paul took so much time describing the vineyards and Biodynamic principles with us.
Paul Dolan Wine Website
Paul Dolan Vineyards has an unusual winery website, that may inspire other winery owners. Upon entering the website, visitors will see an image of vineyards and property. The image is interactive. By moving the cursor over the image names appear including: habitat breaks, rainwater collection tower, owl box, Biodynamic vineyards, bug farm, waterfall, and mobile chicken coop. Website visitors can also find out more about flora, fauna, soil and art. Paul has placed a daily Biodynamic calendar on the first page. After I planted onions yesterday, I quickly discovered that April 23 was a Root day – so quite by accident I planted onions on the “right” day according to followers of Biodynamics. Will it make a difference? Perhaps.
North Coast Wine Challenge
What brings all this to mind is that Paul Dolan is scheduled to be one of the wine judges at the North Coast Wine Challenge in late May. This wine challenge will be the first of its kind with winemakers from wineries in the North Coast AVA. They are all “neighbors.” According to Wine Institute’s website, the area covers “more than three million acres, includes Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake counties, and portions of Marin and Solano counties.”
This wine competition could be quite a challenge for any of the wines entered from any of the counties. Napa has a name and fine wines, what will the reaction be if Napa wines do not compare well with those from any of the other counties. On the other hand, Napa wines may be highly ranked. The results should be very interesting. Perhaps it should be renamed a Judgment of North Coast California 2013.