Winemaking Values Q&A
The underlying ethos to all of our winemaking is our belief that great wine starts with great grapes. Our respect for the raw product is reflected in our minimal intervention practices. We are champions of respectful winemaking and we’re proving that commitment by increasing our organic, vegan, low-sugar, low-sulfur, and sustainable options. Learn more about our perspective below.
Last Updated: 10/11/2023
Sustainable winegrowing is a comprehensive set of practices that are environmentally sound, socially equitable and economically viable. Sustainable vineyard and winery practices conserve water and energy, maintain healthy soil, protect air and water quality, enhance relations with employees and communities, preserve local ecosystems and wildlife habitat, and improve the economic vitality of vineyards and wineries.
Wines labeled as certified organic under the USDA National Organic Program mean the entire production cycle of the wine has passed rigorous tests that ensure there are no synthetic pesticides or no synthetic herbicides used, no sulfites are added, and only native yeasts are used during the winemaking process. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are prohibited from being added to the wine. These wines will bear a USDA organic symbol on the label, or that of a foreign equivalent.
Non-GMO Project Verified status indicates that the brands adhere to consensus-based best practices for avoidance of genetically modified organisms (GMOs); which are organisms whose natural genetic material has been altered through engineering techniques.
Organic wine is wine produced with all organic grapes and ingredients, including yeast. Sulfites may not be added to finished wine.
Wine labeled as being “made with organic grapes” must contain 100% of certified organic grapes. Sulfites may be added to yield less than 100 parts per million in finished wine.
Biodynamic farming looks at the entire vineyard as one living organism and treats it as such. Biodynamic farmers strictly avoid the use of pesticides, herbicides, or anything genetically modified to deal with problems that may arise. Biodynamic wines follow very strict rules around creating an ecosystem in the vineyard, which eventually leads to the vineyard being able to take care of itself, the goal of biodynamic farming.
If a wine is labeled as having no sugar, it means one serving (5 fl.oz.) of your beverage contains less than 0.5 grams of sugar.
A wine that does not have additional sulfites added during the winemaking process. For a no sulfite added wine, there may still be sulfites present as they are naturally occurring.
Vegan wines are made without animal products, so winemakers do not use traditional fining products when making the wine. The wines are certified through a third party to maintain the integrity of the vegan certification.
All sustainable and organic wine is gluten free.
A "low alcohol" wine is any grape wine with an alcohol by volume of less than 8.5%.
