Organic, Biodynamic, Sustainable, and Natural

Consumer preferences are shifting towards more natural and sustainable products across the board, especially in food and beverage. I've heard the terms organic, biodynamic, sustainable, and natural thrown around in reference to wine, but didn't quite know the details. After a bit of research, here's an overview:

Organic

• This one is simple. The stipulated conditions for organic wines are the same as those for organic foods. Namely, no chemical or artificial fertilizers or pesticides are used.

Biodynamic

• Like organic vineyards, biodynamic vineyards eschew pesticides and fertilizers. In addition, they take it a step further and engage in a set of farming practices that focus on the vineyard as a full ecosystem. The goal is for the entire farm or vineyard to be self-sustaining and farmed following the ecosystem's natural cycles. Biological diversity is a key component and at least 10% of farm acreage must be set aside as a preserve. Many of these farms keep animals whose manure is used to fertilize the soil. Some biodynamic farmers incorporate lunar cycles and astrological influence into their practices.

Sustainable

• A bit vague and all-encompassing. Both organic and biodynamic farmers are likely to consider themselves sustainable. In addition to the above, sustainable wineries may focus on energy efficiency or water conservation.

Natural

• While the first three groups look at how the grapes were farmed, natural wine refers to how the grapes are processed. Natural wines are low-intervention wines. They tend to be hand picked, juiced without machines, and hand-pressed (rather than mechanically-pressed). These wines lack added acid, sugar, enzymes, or sulfites.

Wine Cellars - The Billionaires and the Rest of Us

Before coming to the GSB I work in a small cybersecurity company in Seattle, WA. One of the founders of the company had previously work on for one of Seattle's billionaires (I won't mention who, but there are only a few so you can take a guess). During our time working together he told me a story about his former employer that I found unbelievable. The story is retold below:

The employer hired a custom wine cellar maker to renovate a massive wine cellar at this person's home. The cellar was gorgeous and my friend remarks to a member of the employer's staff about what an a great job the craftsman had done. The other employee agreed that it was very nice and would serve the upcoming party well.... and then it would be torn down and redone again!

I've never personally been custom wine cellar shopping, but this story did get me think about the amount of money people pay to store their wine. I recently stumble across this article that claims to list 10 of the worlds most amazing wine cellars. Fair warning, they are incredible, and way over the top.

For those of us who aren't installing 2,000+ bottle cellars, I'd like to hear how you all store your special bottles? Do you simply keep them on a shelf or have you invested in one of the small wine coolers/fridges? Something else?