Biodynamics at Momtazi Vineyards and Maysara Wines

Maysara Works with the Earth

Ok- still on day #1 of touring "green" Oregon wineries, but by afternoon, we’re reaching record temperatures in the Willamette Valley. Our car read out is 104 degrees.. At least we’re not caught on Hwy 5 again, like yesterday, stuck in bumper-to-bumper painful traffic for 3 hours because field fires burning on the roadside ignited a truck.  So, no complaints.

The heat here is dry, thankfully, as we pull up to Momtazi Vineyards. The family, and bottles of chilled well water greet us. Its clean and refreshing, no chlorine aftertaste. Ok, a good start to an even better understanding of what natural, clean and unadulterated means.

Moe Momtazi lives by principles. Their biodynamically farmed property, 532 acres just south of the charming town of McMinnville, is his life passion. While his neighbors thought he was a little “woo woo” in 1997 when he first planted Pinot Noir and began brewing his eco-tea in a giant 20-foot brew tower, he has since gained their respect. The proofs in the pudding—many of the early naysayers now purchase his fruit.

The vineyard is not only Demeter certified Biodynamic but also Oregon Tilth Organic, another local certification for standards of organic farming (www.tilth.org)
While understanding the principles of biodynamics is a discipline on its own, Moe gives us a fabulous overview of the biodiversity of plants and herbs grown on the property. He discusses the composting of the plant, which is critical to harnessing their beneficial properties (video to some soon!).
From yarrow to chamomile, to stinging nettle, Valerian, horsetail, dandelion and oak bark; it’s a nature-to-nature approach. Each plant contributes extremely specific nutrients and benefits that keep the cycle flowing.
Aside from selling about 60 – 65% of his fruit to some of the finest labels in the Valley, Moe’s own label, with extremely small and highly allocated production, is Maysara. The 2007 bottlings include: Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Roseena Rose of Pinot Noir,  along with four additional Pinot Noir bottlings—2006 Jamsheed, 2006 Estate Cuvee, 2005 Delara and 2005 Mitra (www.maysara.com). This is good stuff…we learned a lot.

 

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