Interview: Carmen López Delgado, viticulturist and soul of Uva de Vida
At the peak of biodynamic agriculture and wines produced according to this philosophy, a world where, as in other areas, business sometimes ends up distorting reality, we wanted to talk with Carmen López Delgado, winemaker and soul of Uva de Vida. She, along with her husband Luis Ruiz and an exceptional human team, lead this natural and biodynamic winery located in Santa Olalla, Toledo; Spain.
A pioneer in her region in the implementation of this technique, her desire to find wines with maximum purity without chemical additions, led her to plant a 9-hectare vineyard that, since 2012, works with 100% natural and biodynamic processes, both in the field and in warehouse.
She came to visit us at the Vella Terra fair, accompanied by her entire family, to make us taste her wines and today she will help us to better understand how true biodynamic agriculture is lived; what it is and why, in addition to an agrarian method, it is a philosophy of life.
Without sulfites, without filtering, without clarifying: only fermented grapes
Her opinion about sulphites in wine or in any food: “they are preservatives harmful to people’s health, they are toxic and, for wine, they are an atomic bomb”.
Intuitive and wise, she tells us a story of personal renewal through his vineyards and his wines. Uva de Vida is also one of the few Spanish members of the prestigious biodynamic association “La Renaissance des Appellations”, chaired by Nicolas Joly, and in which only 175 wine growers from all over the world are members.
Grape of Life: when biodynamic agriculture is felt in the soul
Why did you choose to work in biodynamics and when did you make that decision?
We think that biodynamics is the means to achieve in the vineyard a self-regulated ecosystem, independent and free of all chemistry. Biodynamics is a path of knowledge. To know our culture, the soil, the climate … to know oneself. This implies a special connection between the person and the vineyard. We made this decision when the disease pushed us to look for everything related to living and life, seeking to recover health.
How does your biodynamic cellar work?
In our winery we respect all the natural processes of the must until it becomes wine. We are mere spectators, we accompany and observe. We take into account the lunar calendar for planning racking, bottling, etc. We take care of the cleaning, the vibrations, the harmony, the symbolism … which are important tools for us.
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Do you use any preparation of biodynamic agriculture more than others? Why?
In biodynamics there are no recipes. Biodynamics is an impulse, an understanding, an inspiration. It entails a result, but the result is not the end. Each year, we interpret what we believe the vineyard needs so as not to distort its relationship with the environment and let nature express itself with total freedom. Biodynamic preparations activate the processes of life. The basis of biodynamics is to invigorate the life of the soil, but the most important thing is the intention of the person, the imprint, the imprint. Even the thoughts of people are capable of generating living forces.
What results are seen in the day by day in the vineyards?
More life, more flora and fauna.
Is biodynamic agriculture reflected in the wines?
Absolutely. They are living wines, capable of influencing our thoughts, our feelings and our actions. They help us to feel free and coherent. They are wines that improve when they have been open for some time, they are wines that reach the heart, that have their own music.
Do you work with herbs in the soil of the vineyard or in the vines?
We also work with medicinal plants (yarrow, nettle, chamomile) in the form of infusions that we apply to the leaves, thus strengthening the immune system of the plants, their natural resistance. The wine is capable of transmitting the kindness or the poverty of spirit of the one who takes care of the vineyard. We accompany and collaborate in that the natural process of life takes its course.
Uva de Vida cultivates Graciano grape, an uncommon variety in Castilla La Mancha, achieving structured, floral, elegant and fresh wines. They are: Latitud 40 Joven and Latitud Roble Francés. They also bought the Uva de Vida grape juice, all guaranteed with the Demeter label and the Ecological Agriculture label.
Always welcome in important and multitudinous natural wine fairs in Europe and USA, their wines are positioned in the best restaurants and Bar-Vins in the sector. With humility and honorable personal quality, it was a pleasure to meet Carmen and have her Uva de Vida in Vella Terra’s last edition.
Carmen is a fierce and tenacious woman, without a doubt a great example of overcoming, with this project, she and her family integrate health and truth, respect for the times and the laws of nature, the lunar calendar and life, betting on free wines and a better world.
