What Is Natural Wine? Natural Wine 101 Guide

In recent years, natural wine has evolved from an obscure niche to a global movement embraced by sommeliers, chefs, and wine lovers alike. But what exactly is natural wine? How is it made, and what makes it different from organic or biodynamic wines? Whether you’re a curious drinker or an eco-conscious foodie, this guide is your one-stop introduction to the exciting, unpredictable, and soulful world of natural wine.

Natural Wine in 30 Seconds

Natural wine is wine made from grapes grown with organic or similarly low-input farming methods and fermented with minimal cellar intervention. Producers generally rely on native yeasts, avoid most additives and processing aids, and use little or no added sulphur dioxide. Natural wine has no single worldwide definition or certification, so practices vary by producer and country.

Natural Wine 101: What Natural Wine Is, How It’s Made & How to Choose It

At its core, natural wine is wine made with as little human intervention as possible. It is produced using organically grown grapes (often hand-harvested) and is fermented with native yeasts. In the cellar, winemakers avoid additives and excessive manipulations: no commercial yeasts, no enzymes, no flavour corrections, no fining, and often no filtration.

Many natural wines are also made with little to no added sulfur (SO2), a common preservative in conventional winemaking. The goal is to preserve the living energy and true character of the grape, soil, and season.

Natural wine is:

• Made from organic or biodynamic grapes
• Fermented with indigenous yeasts
• Produced with minimal or no additives
• Rarely filtered or fined
• Sometimes cloudy, always expressive

It’s not about chasing perfection. It’s about celebrating authenticity.

Natural wine is an informal term for wine produced with minimal intervention in the vineyard and cellar. There is no single globally accepted legal definition. In practice, producers associated with the natural-wine movement generally work with organically or biodynamically grown grapes, spontaneous fermentation and few cellar additives, often with low or no added sulphur dioxide. Natural wine is therefore an approach to viticulture and winemaking rather than a universally regulated wine category.

Natural Wine vs Organic vs Biodynamic Wine

Sources: OIV, EU/organic regulations and Demeter

🌿 In the Vineyard: Organic Farming & Beyond

Natural wine begins in the vineyard. While there is no single legal definition of natural wine, most producers adhere to strict organic or biodynamic farming principles.

Key practices include:

• No synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers
• Use of cover crops and biodiversity to enhance soil health
• Hand-harvesting to avoid damaging grapes and soil
• Small yields that concentrate flavour and reflect terroir

Some producers go beyond organic to embrace biodynamics, a holistic agricultural philosophy that treats the vineyard as a living organism. Biodynamic farming includes composting, planting according to lunar cycles, and applying special herbal preparations to promote microbial life.

Whether organic or biodynamic, the guiding principle is respect for nature.

🍷 In the Winery: Low-Intervention Winemaking

Once the grapes arrive at the winery, natural winemaking takes a hands-off approach.

The process typically involves:

• Spontaneous fermentation with wild yeasts (no inoculation)
• No added sugar, acids, enzymes, or tannins
• Minimal sulfite addition, if any (some winemakers add a small dose at bottling)
• No fining or filtration, allowing wine to retain texture and sediment

The result is often a wine that is alive, evolving, and full of character. It may be cloudy, it may have fizz, and yes, it may taste funky. But it’s honest.

🆚 Natural vs Organic vs Biodynamic vs Conventional Wines

The wine world is full of labels. Let’s break down the differences.

Conventional Wine: Most supermarket wines fall into this category. Grapes may be sprayed with chemicals, and winemaking can involve up to 70+ additives (like artificial colour, commercial yeasts, powdered tannins, acidifiers, and more).

Organic Wine: Certified organic wines must be made from grapes grown without synthetic chemicals. In the US, the label also means no added sulfites. In Europe, a small amount of SO2 is permitted.

Biodynamic Wine: A stricter form of organic farming, biodynamics follows spiritual and ecological principles laid out by Rudolf Steiner. Certification is through Demeter or Biodyvin.

Natural Wine: No official certification, but commonly overlaps with organic or biodynamic farming. Involves native yeast fermentation and minimal intervention in the cellar. The focus is on transparency and authenticity.

What Does Natural Wine Taste Like?

Well, just because natural wines are made with low-intervention methods and adding minimum or 0 sulphites doesn’t mean there is a particular flavour to them. In fact, there is no single natural-wine flavour.

And that’s what I love about natural wines – they are expressive of the land, of the winemaker and of the grapes. And because you experience differences in weather conditions year to year, natural wines will also be a bit different year to year. And that’s beautiful.

That’s probably one of the biggest differentiators here. Conventional wines, or what I call factory wines, are made so they taste absolutely the same year on year. There is a benefit for you to getting a consistent flavour that you love, of course. But there is no surprise or that excitement of seeing how the next vintage plays in a natural wine. And sometimes, winemakers leave the course of nature to rule over the natural winemaking process far too much – sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t, sometimes they turn out to be faulty, but sometimes they simply taste funky.

But my important distinction is clear: Natural wine does not have to taste funky to be a great wines it wo.

Why Natural Wine Matters

Natural wine is more than a trend. It’s a cultural, agricultural, and ethical statement.

For consumers:

• Fewer chemicals and no additives = fewer headaches (literally)
• Greater diversity of flavour and style
• Transparent labelling and connection to origin

For the environment:

• Regenerative farming practices improve soil health
• No toxic runoff into waterways
• Encourages biodiversity and carbon capture

For communities:

• Supports small-scale producers and family farms
• Preserves traditional winemaking methods
• Encourages local economies and craft revival

These wines represent a shift from industrial agriculture to regenerative culture. See more in my Myths to Natural Wines article.

Does Natural Wine Contain Sulphites?

Let’s get a few important things very clear here:

1. All wine contains some sulphites. Sulphur compounds are produced naturally during fermentation. So there is no wine that is free of sulphites entirely.

2. “No added sulphites” ≠ sulphite-free. So, as per above, natural wine will contain some naturally occurring sulphites, whilst the indication ‘no added sulphites’ simply refers to the winemaker’s practice not to use sulphites during the fermentation, bottling and so on.

3. Natural winemakers frequently use less added SO₂, but practice varies. Yes, the majority of natural wines contain less added sulphites (and sometimes none added at all), but as there is no formal certification and no requirement to indicate the sulphite content (lab-tested), the situation varies significantly. As sulphur dioxide has antimicrobial and antioxidant functions and can help stabilise wine, I see more natural winemakers use small doses when they need to export their wines (think of long journeys, temperature control and so on); whilst mostly domestic clean production and distribution may safely restrict the usage of sulphites.

Is Orange Wine the Same as Natural Wine?

My short answer: No. Orange wine describes a winemaking technique: white grapes ferment with their skins. Natural wine describes a broader farming and winemaking philosophy. An orange wine can be natural, conventional, organic or biodynamic.

So: Is pét-nat always natural? Again: no.

Then, is qvevri wine always natural? Again: no. See my notes on Georgian food and winemaking in qvevri (amphorae) here.

Is Natural Wine Legally Defined?

Globally, there is no universal international legal definition of natural wine.

However, that does not mean the term is completely unregulated everywhere.

The recent notable change was made in Georgia: Georgia’s Parliament adopted amendments to the Law on Vine and Wine on 9 June 2026 that introduced/updated the statutory use of the term “natural wine.” The Parliament describes it as wine produced without systemic pesticides, herbicides or other chemically synthesised substances.

🌟 Notable Natural Wine Producers & Iconic Bottles

Natural wine is a global phenomenon, with outstanding producers in every corner of the winemaking world. Here are some to know:

France:

• Jean Foillard (Beaujolais) – Morgon wines that are elegant and pure
• Pierre Overnoy (Jura) – Pioneer of oxidative Savagnin and zero-sulfur vin jaune
• Clos Lentiscus (Catalonia) – Stunning sparkling wines from Mediterranean soils

Italy:

• Frank Cornelissen (Etna, Sicily) – Iconic for volcanic Nerello Mascalese wines
• Marina Palusci – One of my favourite natural wines from Italy is Senzaniente Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
• Giuseppe Sedilesu (Sardinia) – Cannonnau is probably my ultimate choice and this winemaker makes it amazingly
• Vino de Anna (Sicily) – Various styles of delicate and clean natural wines
• Radikon (Friuli-Venezia Giulia) – Orange wines with deep maceration
• Arianna Occhipinti (Sicily) – Feminine, earthy reds and thoughtful viticulture

Georgia:

• Chito’s Gvino (Kakheti) – award-winning full-bodied natural wines from the East of Georgia
• Tilisma (Kakheti) – Qvevri wines made as full-bodied or semi-carbonic natural wines and pet-nat
• Baia’s Wines – Known for stable Tsitska, Tsolikouri, Krakhuna wines, not too heavy, more delectably European style

Spain:

• Partida Creus (Catalonia) – Bold flavours and precise winemaking
• Oller del Mas – is already a classic name amongst natural wine producers
• Hacienda Grimon (Rioja) – their Crianza is a great natural red wine from North-Central Spain
• Alfredo Maestro (Ribera del Duero) – bold Ribera del Duero style wine which I truly love
• Bodega Partida Creus (Catalonia) – vivacious character and truly expressionate wines
• Bodegas Vinessenes (Alicante) – their Tragolargo was a bestselling wine for me when I owned and operated an organic wine e-commerce business for 3 years.

United States:

• Martha Stoumen (California) – Low-alcohol, sun-soaked, joyful wines
• La Garagista (Vermont) – Alpine, farm-driven wines with a poetic touch

These producers often have cult followings and limited availability. They’re best enjoyed with good bread, funky cheese, and great conversation.

🍇 Natural Wine Fairs & Events

One of the best ways to explore natural wine is by attending a dedicated fair. These events bring together winemakers, importers, and fans for tastings, panels, and parties.

Major natural wine fairs around the world:

• RAW WINE (London, New York, Berlin, LA): Curated by Isabelle Legeron MW
• La Dive Bouteille (Saumur, France): The OG natural wine fair in the Loire
• Les Vins Vivants (France): Celebrates living wines from small growers
• Glou Glou Fest (Australia): Funky and fun down under
• Wine Call (Ukraine): A rising gathering spotlighting Central & Eastern European natural wines

Most events are open to both professionals and consumers. Many also include music, food pairings, and workshops.

🍷 How to Enjoy Natural Wine

• Keep an open mind: Some bottles might be surprising or unusual.
• Serve slightly chilled: Red or orange wines can benefit from a light chill.
• Decant when needed: Letting a wine breathe can open up hidden dimensions.
• Pair boldly: Natural wines love vegetables, spices, and fermented flavours.
• Drink within a few days: These wines are often unfiltered and delicate.

My Final Thoughts: Natural Wine is More Than Just a Buzz

My perspective: As a WSET Diploma-qualified wine professional, I don’t see “natural” and “conventional” as simple good-versus-bad categories. I find natural wine most interesting when minimal intervention reveals the grape and site rather than when faults become the defining feature.

Natural wine is alive: in the glass and in the culture that surrounds it. It tells stories of soil, season, and soul. Whether cloudy or clear, fizzy or flat, it demands that you taste, not just drink. That you think, not just sip.

If wine is about pleasure and connection, natural wine simply takes us closer to the source.

Welcome to the world of living wines. Raise your glass to nature.

P.S. I’d also recommend you have a look at my popular post about 5 Myths of Natural Wines.

And yes, I’m not forgetting tacos; please head to my dedicated Tacos and Wine Pairing article here.