What's the Deal with "Natural Wine?"

• Posted on 29 May 2025
• By Dane Mannina
• Posted in 'sustainable wine, biodynamic wine, chemical-free wine, natural wine, organic wine, wine education
• 0

A quick explanation of a huge wine category.

If you've browsed our shelves or scrolled through wine selections online, you've likely come across the term "natural wine."

But what does it really mean?

Natural wine is more than just a trend—it’s a return to the roots of winemaking, emphasizing purity, sustainability, and minimal intervention. For wine lovers seeking authenticity in their glass, understanding what makes a wine "natural" can add a new layer of appreciation to your next pour.

At its core, natural wine is made with as little interference as possible, both in the vineyard and the cellar. This means no synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or industrial additives. Instead, natural winemakers often rely on organic or biodynamic farming practices, which promote healthy soil, biodiversity, and long-term sustainability. These farming methods steer clear of harsh chemicals and instead focus on working in harmony with nature—using compost, cover crops, and even the lunar calendar to guide vineyard work.

The low-intervention philosophy continues during the winemaking process. Natural wines are typically fermented with native yeasts (those naturally present on the grape skins and in the winery environment), rather than commercial strains. Many are made without added sulfites (or with very minimal amounts), and they are rarely filtered or fined, which can result in wines that look a little hazy—but burst with character and energy.

For consumers, natural wine offers a more transparent connection to where the wine comes from and how it was made. It’s not about perfection—it’s about personality. You might taste something a little wild, a little funky, or completely unexpected. And that’s the point. Every bottle tells a story of place, process, and the people behind it. I prefer to use the term "ancestral" more than natural these days, as the truth of the practice is a passionate return to the ways of old winemaking before commercialization overstepped the roots of winemaking history. 

Whether you're a seasoned sipper or just starting to explore, natural wine invites you to slow down, ask questions, and savor something real.

Explore our curated selection of natural wines in-store or online, and taste the difference for yourself.