Are Your Corporate Systems Biodynamic?

What do biodynamic wines have to do with running a thriving corporation?

What do biodynamic wines have to do with leadership in a thriving corporation?

More than you think. Having been both an innovation and marketing executive with large brands, as well as a Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers, I believe there is a connection between biodynamic wine growing and growing a healthy corporation. 

At first glance, the link between vineyards and organizations might feel obscure. But, perhaps but aren’t most organizations interested in healthy growth? For example, one of my favorite Bordeaux producers is a Margaux site named Chateau Ferriere. They have been growing grapes with biodynamic methods for centuries, and are now certified as such. Their wine-makers believe there is a connection between biodynamic practices and smoother tannins, and release of unique flavor notes.

I love biodynamic wines - those wines coming from vineyards that are above “organic” certification and deploy century-old methods that bring the vineyard (actually think more like a farm) into greater balance, smoother operations, more vitality, leading to excellent wine and making a contribution to caring for our lands. Key principles for certification include no synthetic inputs and more diversity in animals and plants. There are some more spiritual practices, such as being in synch with the cycles of the moon. Ancient civilizations and native tribes had been known to plan their years around moon cycles forever. 

Here are a few ways that healthy corporations could operate more effectively with biodynamic practices

Soil Health = Organizational Culture

In biodynamic viticulture, healthy soil alive with microbes, organic matter, and nutrients is the foundation for resilient vines. In business, culture is the soil. When values and communication flow well, people flourish and the company thrives. 

Lessons for Corporate Ecosystems

Biodynamic farmers encourage biodiversity with cover crops, bees, and livestock because complexity strengthens resilience. Similarly, organizations thrive when diverse perspectives, skills, and backgrounds coexist. Innovation comes from cross-pollination, not uniformity.

What Biodynamics Teaches Us About Healthy Growth

Regeneration  = Learning from Challenges

Biodynamic winemakers build up their soils so that they automatically thrive without having to re-create every season, learning as issues arise. Corporations that keep reinventing the wheel are wasting resources. Better to learn and grow.

What Biodynamics Teaches Us About Corporate Healthy Growth

Organizations, like vineyards, are living ecosystems. Getting corporate culture in synch with the natural flow of human will lead to strong innovation, efficient operations, effective strategy, and sustainable growth. Having been a corporate innovation executive and now a Sommelier, I can clearly see the connection between curating the best wines and curating the best ways to run a brand. 

Johan Vineyard Murmuration for Corporate Events by C''EST WHAT? LLC

Growing Austrian Varietals with Biodynamics in Oregon One of my favorite winemakers is Johan Vineyards, who has been creating their biodynamic brand for 20 years, mostly with Austrian grapes such as Kerner, Saint Laurent, and Blaufrankisch. Their land is filled with sheep and chickens, who play in their forest, then drop their blessings into the land, spilling seeds, which grow plants that attract beneficial insects, providing food for field critters, which the eagles love to eat, while those eagles protect the grapes from invasions of murmurations of starlings. I think I have the details right....that natural cycle of life is what makes the grapes thrive, enabling their expert wine makers to craft fabulous wines with beautiful labels. 

Why Biodynamic Wines Belong at Corporate Events

Organizations thrive when culture is nurtured, diversity is valued, and cycles are respected. That’s why biodynamic wines are more than just delicious. They are a metaphor for resilience. A corporate wine event that features biodynamic selections can spark conversations about innovation, sustainability, and shared growth. Guided by a professional sommelier, your team not only learns about wine but also experiences the joy of connection. Ready to create a corporate event with impact? Let’s design it together.”

Design Your Corporate Events for Legendary Experiences

Designing Your Corporate Events for Legendary Experiences In short, Sommeliers get off on delighting other people with wines and their stories. If your team is ready to explore resilience through wine, let’s design a biodynamic-inspired tasting for your next corporate event.

Michael Perman at C’EST WHAT? Wine and Sensory, www.cestwhatwine.com, michael@cestwhat.org.