I first heard Philippe speak at the Demeter booth of the Sonoma harvest fair where I was mesmerized by his knowledge of biodynamic vineyards. Since that time, he has become a teacher to me and now to hundreds of French vignerons in France where he teaches biodynamics in Burgundy, the Rhone and the Savoie.
A 25th generation winegrower, his research into 19th century (that's the 1800's) French viticulture has revealed that many of the plants used in biodynamics have their source in traditional practices (which Rudolph Steiner incorporated into his advice on biodynamic farming and which he is thought to have learned from relationship with his herbal mentor Felix Koguzski).
In fact, Cato the Elder wrote of what we now call biodynamic sprays (fermented herbal teas) in De Agriculturus published in 160 BCE.
It is for these historical reasons that Coderey prefers to refer to these practices as Traditional and Biodynamic Viticulture, giving credit where credit is due.
Coderey, who lives in Sebastopol, works today with many vineyards in California, planting new vineyards in and Santa Barbara County (Grimm's Bluff and Duvarita's Christy & Wise) and consulting widely (Byington, Grgich Hills, Preston Farm & Winery, Spottswoode, Tablas Creek, and many others).
He converted the Westwood estate vineyard in Sonoma which was certified biodynamic in 2017.
What many may not know is how modern microbiome data can document the effects of biodynamic practices. Here's a look at the practices and the microbiome testing he has been doing at Westwood.
In the Vineyard with Biodynamic Farming Partner, Philippe Coderey from Westwood Information on Vimeo.
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