Biodynamics is to organic as vegan is to vegitarian. When it comes to wine, according to morethanorganic.com, there are two main things that distinguish biodynamic techniques from other forms of organic farming.

• The use of a complex system of herbal sprays and composting techniques, known as 'preparations'.

• The timing of the operations on the land, which is strictly regulated by the movements of the spheres.

The practice was created and based on the ideas of Rudolph Steiner who apparantly was fully aware that parts of his practice would be criticized as a little kooky.

Basically, biodynamic farmers use organic techniques such as allowing animals to graze and roam around the vines to fertilize the area and introducing insect predators (such as lady bugs) as pest control and then they throw the hammer by planning all of their work and schedules according to planetary movement believing that it influences the vine growth. The thinking being that if something is wrong, then something is out of balance. It is like yoga for vineyards.

Also, if you haven't played Long Hot Summer Night by Jimi Hendrix in a while, today would be a good day to throw it on.