In this informal seminar we will explore the fundamentals of biodynamic agriculture created by Rudolph Steiner and how biodynamic protocols have been applied to viticulture. The tasting will consist of three compelling biodynamic wines from three exceptional producers and three old-world countries: a white wine from the Loire Valley of France, a sparkling rosé from Penedes, Spain and a rare red from Trentino, Italy. While we taste we will discuss the characteristics of the grapes, the three distinctive territories, the grape-growing and winemaking practices of each producer, and the biodynamic practices they employ.

Alan Tardi got seriously interested in wine working as a cook and chef in some of New York City’s most laudable restaurants. He also lived in a tiny village in the Barolo area of Piedmont, Italy for over a decade working in the vineyards and wineries and managing his town’s wine shop where all 22 wineries were represented.

As wine & food journalist, Alan has written numerous articles about wine and food in a variety of venues including Wine and Spirits Magazine, Wine Spectator, The New York Times, Decanter, Food Arts and Wine Folly. He also published two award-winning books: “Romancing the Vine: Life, Love and Transformation in the Vineyards of Barolo” (Saint Martin’s Press 2006) which won a James Beard Award for Best Wine Book of the Year, and “Champagne, Uncorked: The House of Krug and the Timeless Allure of the World’s Most Celebrated Drink” (Hachette 2026) which received a Gourmand Award for Best in the World, French Wine category.

As wine educator, Alan teaches the Italian Wine Scholar two-part certification course online for the international Wine Scholar Guild and is a frequent presenter at wine conferences such as SommCon USA, The American Wine Society and the Society of Wine Educators Annual Conference. He also conducts wine classes at the New York Wine Studio (newyorkwinestudio.com) in Manhattan.

Finally, Alan is an amateur, a wine lover: he is constantly learning more about it and enjoys sharing insights and information with others.