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Eco-friendly wine labels identify specific farming and winemaking standards. If interested in biodynamic wine, look for the Demeter logo and check if it is "Biodynamic® Wine" (strict limits) or "Made with Biodynamic® Grapes" (more freedom in the winemaking process)—both allow added sulfites for shelf stability.
Organic wine labels will state "Certified Organic" if they contain no additional preservatives (cannot be aged) or "Made with Organically Grown Grapes" which allow sulfites. If a label has "Live Certified" this indicates a focus on reducing raw materials but allows pesticides, "Salmon-Safe" guarantees local watershed protection, "SIP" is a strict sustainable certification and "CCSW" means that at least 85% of grapes are from eco-friendly vineyards.
Biodynamic farming eliminates pesticides and chemicals, instead using natural processes like animal husbandry and cover crops to encourage the microbiome. Stricter certification wines are usually more expensive, but the flavors are often more complex.
Decoding Biodynamic Wine Labels
Start by looking for the Demeter logo on the front or back label to ensure it is a properly vetted certification. Both categories allow for minimal added sulfites (up to 100 parts per million) to ensure the wine stays fresh and shelf-stable.
BIODYNAMIC® WINE
These bottles must be made from 100% biodynamic grapes with strict limits on cellar manipulations, only allowed for emergencies such as stuck fermentation. They are the purest expression of the method.
MADE WITH BIODYNAMIC® GRAPES WINE
This allows for slightly more freedom in the winemaking process under National Organic Program standards, which is helpful for wineries during difficult vintage years with extreme weather, such as a drought.
Decoding Organic Wine Labels
When you see "Organic" on a bottle of wine, it indicates that the grapes were grown without synthetic chemicals, pesticides or fertilizers. Additionally, non-agricultural ingredients cannot exceed 5% of the total product. Lack of a "Certified Organic" seal does not mean a wine isn't eco-friendly. Many high-quality winemakers choose to skip the formal certification process to maintain flexibility. This allows them to address specific pest or weather challenges unique to their region—such as a sudden mildew outbreak.
CERTIFIED ORGANIC
While sulfites occur naturally during fermentation, "Organic" certified bottles must not have any additional preservatives. As a result, they are not shelf-stable and should be opened soon after purchase.
MADE WITH ORGANICALLY GROWN GRAPES
The farming standards remain vigilant, but winemakers are permitted to add sulfites to ensure the wine is suitable for aging.
Decoding Eco-Friendly Wine Labels
LIVE CERTIFIED
Low Input Viticulture and Enology certification focuses on reducing raw materials (water, fuel, etc.) but allows low-impact pesticides.
SALMON-SAFE
Usually found on the West Coast, this indicates local watershed protection was considered during production.
SIP CERTIFIED
The Sustainability in Practice is one of the strictest certifications. The winery must be sustainably managed, local wildlife preserved and workers protected.
CCSW CERTIFIED
California’s winegrowing certification means that at least 85% of grapes must come from sustainable vineyards and the wine is also crafted sustainably.
What are Biodynamic Vineyards?
Farming techniques used in the vineyard significantly impact what ends up in your glass. For example specific pesticides, such as glyphosate, can be identified in the resulting wine. Eco-friendly vineyards emphasize natural cycles, rather than using synthetic fertilizers.
Instead of workers in hazmat suits spraying dangerous chemicals, you will see cover crops, insectaries, sheep for weed control and an emphasis on biodiversity for soil health. From geese eating snails to alpacas assisting with compost preparations—animal husbandry is vital. They create site-specific compost that cures for 5-6 months, a process that encourages diverse microorganisms and aerobic bacteria that enhance the soil.
By avoiding constant tillage and harsh sprays, winemakers protect the "miniature farmers" (microbes) in the soil and the unique native yeasts in the vineyard that are crucial for high-quality fermentation and better flavor profiles.
Which Eco-Friendly Wine Should You Buy?
Choosing the right wine comes down to your budget and how strict you want the “sustainable” credentials to be. The price point will often increase with stricter guidelines, due to additional costs of maintaining a certification, including rigorous auditing standards.
You should also take extra care if planning to cellar a bottle, in case the low sulfite content makes it difficult to age. While they may be expensive, organic and biodynamic wines also ensure a healthier local ecosystem, better stewardship and superior wine.
Thinking of finding an Old World bottle of wine instead? Check out our guide to Reading French Wine Labels to learn more.