Since chemical–free viticulture was introduced at Querciabella with the conversion to organics in 1988 followed by a transition to biodynamics in 2000, the goal has been to maintain a balanced ecosystem where healthy, living soil provides the highest quality of nourishment to vines, while achieving perfect harmony with the rest of nature. The winery practices a proprietary farming regime known as cruelty–free biodynamics, which bars the use of animal–derived products from all phases of grape growing and winemaking. This 100% vegan approach to biodynamic viticulture is not only key to producing wines of exquisite quality and marked territoriality, but is also a direct hallenge against the industrialized farming establishment – an economic behemoth based on the systematic exploitation of animals, which scientific research shows to have devastating effects on our planet. Querciabella opposes the use of GMOs, especially in agriculture, given their grievous environmental impact. The winery also rejects artificial manipulation in winemaking, including the practice of reverse osmosis, which compromises the natural chemical composition of wine. With 74 hectares (183 acres) of prime Chianti Classico vineyards – located in the municipalities of Greve, Panzano, Radda and Gaiole – in addition to 32 hectares (79 acres) in Maremma on Tuscany’s unspoiled Etruscan coast, Querciabella’s holdings represent the largest extensions of biodynamically farmed (certified organic) vineyards in Italy, contributing extraordinary biodiversity to local and surrounding ecosystems and serving as a sanctuary for thriving numbers of honeybee colonies.