Whilst the romantic image of a winemaker lovingly tending to their small vineyard persists, the reality is that much of the world’s wine is produced on an industrial scale. For these large-scale operations, sustainability has often taken a back seat to cost efficiency and mass production. At the same time there has been an increased interest in the small, artisanal growers who we love that champion organic, biodynamic, and natural practices. However they also face their own challenges in balancing ideals with the realities of farming particularly in an age where climate unpredictability and extremes have become the norm.
Let’s take a look into the ideas and pressures that drive sustainability initiatives across the wine industry.
🍷 Browse Our Sustainable Collection Here🍷
What Do Sustainable Certifications Mean?
Organic and biodynamic certifications are official stamps of commitment to a higher standard of farming. Organic farming avoids synthetic pesticides and fertilisers, while biodynamics takes this a step further, integrating holistic practices that treat the vineyard as a self-sustaining ecosystem. For biodynamic certification, adherence to a strict lunar calendar for planting and harvesting is also key.
Natural wine, on the other hand, really has no official certification and is more about a winemaking philosophy. It emphasises minimal intervention— no chemicals used in the vines, minimal added sulphites, spontaneous fermentations using wild yeast, and no filtration. Whilst these wines may not have a formal certification, they reflect a commitment to nature and sustainability.
Why Don’t All Winemakers Get Certified?
Certifications come at a cost. For many small growers, the financial implications of official certification can be prohibitive. Fees for things like inspections, audits, paperwork etc add up and some growers simply don't have the resources.
Some growers also do not see the need to pay for a stamp when they have been making their wines like this for generations and feel its just another buzzword they are forced to adhere to.
Why Do Some Lose Certification?
Losing certification is often not about commitment but survival. For instance, with the climate crisis causing extreme weather events and rising temperatures, it is making the vines more susceptible to disease. This gives growers the heartbreaking dilemma to either loose their entire crop or use a small amount of non organic spray resulting in them losing their organic certification. Of course sustainability is a moral choice but when you are at risk of losing your entire livelihood this has to be questioned. Obviously these decisions are not taken lightly as they have to balance out the long term health of the land v short term survival. Yet another reason why some growers will decide that certification is not worth it.
Why Natural Wine Stands Out
Whilst official certifications for organics and biodynamics come with strict criteria to adhere to, natural wine lacks anything official. Without an official certification body it can lead to inconsistencies, something i'm sure you have come across. There are many "natural" wines out there that are most definitely style over substance where a poorly made wine can hide behind a funky label. Just because it is "natural" it doesn't mean it's gonna be good, and just because it has a fun label it doesn't mean it will taste great. Just make sure to ask questions if you are not sure of what the wine will be like. The flipside is that following a philosophy of minimal intervention often create a wines that are full of character, reflecting the unique terroir and the skill of the producer. This highlights the importance of asking your trusted wine merchant or somm in your favourite restaurant to help you navigate what they have.
The Way Forward
Sustainable winemaking is rarely straightforward with winemakers constantly having to adapt to challenges like economic realities and the affects of climate change.
As consumers, we can play a role by asking the right questions and seeking transparency, rather than relying on certifications or buzzwords. A wine doesn’t need to be certified organic to be made with care, and a "natural" wine isn’t guaranteed to taste great. What truly matters is the philosophy and effort behind your favourite bottle.
Supporting sustainability means acknowledging its complexities. It’s not about perfection but progress—one vineyard, one grower, and one vintage at a time. Every bottle reflects this, and the best way forward is to celebrate and support those who are working to make better wine that is better for both us and the planet.