(VinePair) - In these naturally-focused times, the idea of organic wine is sexy, and it’s no mystery why. Just the word “biodiversity” has a nice ring to it. But it’s not just a word. Practicing biodiversity in the vineyard means using nature’s own cycles and rhythms to promote growth. It means choosing natural options over synthetic or chemical ones to promote the growth of vines and the production of wine.

Take, for example, fertilizer. Winemakers who are more in tune with the land have been replacing commercial fertilizers like synthetic pesticides with more natural types, like manure. As manure decomposes, it releases nitrogen, which is an essential nutrient for yeast in wine fermentation. Contrast this with some non-organic producers, who pump their vineyards full of nitrogen, which can result in awful, over-performing grapes.