Hello! I am doing research for a local SoCal business and am looking for brands that have a featured organic wines or even exclusive organic wine or wineries in California; and particularly in southern california. Any suggestions of brands? Thank you! Michelle.
Answer From Expert Roger Bohmrich MW
Terminology is particularly important in your search. You may already know that the number of bona fide organic wines - those allowed to display the "USDA Organic" emblem on their label - are relatively few in number. Compared to foodstuffs, it is rather difficult to comply with the rules qualifying wine as organic. For example, an organic wine must not contain added sulfites (that is, above the naturally occurring level), the most commonly used additive in wine around the world. Furthermore, all other ingredients are severely restricted. This is the reason most wineries prefer the path of farming organically, stating "made with organic grapes" on the label. To be clear, this does not mean the wine itself is organic, just the raw material. You'll have to decide how to handle this important distinction in your research project. There are several California wineries you will want to consider. Bonterra has wines labeled "made with organic grapes" as well as "made with certified biodynamic grapes" which essentially qualify as organic, just to add another wrinkle. Patianna grows grapes organically. Frey, which bills itself as "America's first organic and biodynamic winery," is perhaps the best-known winery of this type, with many wines bearing the USDA emblem. All three of these wineries are situated in Mendocino. In Southern Cal, Coquelicot in Los Olivos states that they farm organically. There are other examples, and then as well wineries who say they follow organic practices but do not make a claim on the bottle. I am sure you'll find more with some online searching, once you decide on your criteria.
