Neal Family Vineyards introduced its first labeled Certified Organic wine in 2007—though Mark Neal had been farming and making organic wine since the winery opened. “It was a tough decision not to add it to the label from the beginning,” Mark recalls.
Back in 2001, Organic wines rarely appeared on core lists, wine menus, or even on the same shelves as other premium wines. Biodynamic® wines remain among the rarest in the world, sought after by those who value the strictest farming and winemaking standards. However it goes beyond the agriculture on any property that is Certified Biodynamic®, it covers property line to property line and all materials including landscaping, feed for animals etc. must be organic.
Biodynamic® farming and winemaking, governed by Demeter®, require separate annual inspections of both the vineyard and the winery. At its foundation, Biodynamic® begins with Certified Organic farming—verified through rigorous third-party inspections such as those conducted by CCOF, our certifier.
Biodynamic® farming methods are not unique to Neal Family Vineyards; Demeter® certifies vineyards and separately wineries worldwide, including in France, Italy, and Oregon. But for the Neal family, these methods have deeper roots. Biodynamic® farming on the Rutherford Dust Vineyards began in 1966. Mark’s Grandmother, Zmaro, a first-generation immigrant from Crete and the daughter of a generational farming family, taught the importance of working with lunar and solar cycles for planting, harvesting, composting, and other essential decisions—all from the perspective of a single estate and its “sense of place.” These farming methods help create a truly self-sustaining vineyard ecosystem supported by surrounding forests, ponds, river corridors and landscaping and hedgerows for beneficial insects.
The “WHY”
Over the last five to six decades, Mark has watched the wine market continually evolve. The younger generations are driving today’s shift toward transparency, seeking cleaner foods, healthier choices, and the support of small family farms. Surveys show that Gen Z and Millennials purchase organic produce more frequently than any other generation—an unmistakable sign of where values are heading. And this will be generational moving forward.
Many winemakers and critics believe that are making Biodynamic® wines reveal a clearer, more distinctive expression of terroir—driven by the vitality of microbially rich, living soils and the biodiversity within and surrounding the property.
Mark has long been at the forefront of these movements. His work with CCOF prior to being certified in 1984 with his father’s vineyards and a few early clients. Neal Family Vineyards later became the first Regenerative Organic Certified® winery in Napa Valley in 2022—fifth in the world at the time. The family produced Napa Valley’s first Certified Organic wine in 2007, its first ROC® wine in 2022, and its first Demeter®-certified wine in 2025.
The 2025 Albariño Release
Neal Family Vineyards released its first Single-Vineyard, Demeter® Certified (Biodynamic®), CCOF Organic, and Regenerative Organic Certified® Albariño January 2026. The wine comes from their Estate named Rutherford Dust Vineyards—farmed at the highest environmental level recognized globally.
These vineyards hold all three certifications: CCOF Organic, Biodynamic®, and Regenerative Organic Certified®. Since 1997, the vines have been trained on Dual Varietal Trellis System an innovation developed by Mark, designed to enhance carbon return by 3.5–4×, create a naturally cooler microclimate for white varieties, provide dappled sunlight, and reduce environmental impact by cutting farming inputs—including emissions, materials, and water—by half. Labor needs are also reduced, along with the emissions associated with employee commutes and equipment use.
“ My true expression of any wine I enjoy are Estate Wines that are farmed and wine is made with the same ethos. I have enjoyed many organic and Biodynamic® wines, finding the true expression of the terroir is romantic when it comes to the aroma and taste. Since my Estates are Biodynamic® I thought “why have I not made one? Truly full expression of sense of place, wild yeast fermentation, sur-lie in tank for mouth feel, oak free to fully express the Rutherford Dust biodiversity. Absolutely delicious.” – Mark Neal
Many farming terms—such as Regenerative Viticulture, Regenerative Agriculture, Natural Wine, Napa Green, and Sustainable Farming—have entered the marketplace majority not requiring third-party inspections. These organizations are still permit harmful synthetic chemicals in both farming and winemaking. The results of this type of farming practices are not in the continues to be under the greenwashing marketing scheme, not restoring soils and water to highest health. The vines like all plants, farmers choice to add harmful chemicals is the food that plants feed on. For vineyards, this is a direct vein into the plant, fruit and ultimately the wine.
Why Certifications Matter
Authentic environmental certifications support farmers and producers who deeply understand—and demonstrate—the results of their work: healthier soils, rapid organic matter development, meaningful carbon sequestration, resilient vines, and cleaner water from the aquifer to the ocean.
Even when a consumer buys a single product bearing one of these three certifications—Organic, Biodynamic®, or Regenerative Organic Certified® —they are helping uphold the highest farming standards in the world. Family farmers rely on this support, and it encourages larger agricultural operations to make needed changes, which will add additional supply and make a healthier world.