Natural Wine: The Complete Guide
Natural & Organic Wine · The pillar guide
Natural wine is wine made from organically or biodynamically farmed grapes, picked by hand, fermented with the wild yeasts already on the fruit, and bottled with nothing added or taken away, except perhaps a small dose of sulfites. There is no single legal definition in the US, so the word describes a philosophy more than a certification: farm cleanly, intervene as little as possible, and let the grape and the place speak.
Natural, organic and biodynamic wine is the heart of what we stock at Harvest Wine Shop. Our catalog includes more than 60 natural, 150 organic and 30 biodynamic wines, every one sommelier-selected. This guide explains the categories, what to expect in the glass, and how to find bottles you'll love.
Natural wines to start with
What is natural wine?
Most natural winemakers follow the same core practices, whether or not they put the word on the label:
- Organic or biodynamic farming, with no synthetic pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers.
- Hand harvesting, so only healthy, ripe grapes reach the winery.
- Native (wild) yeast fermentation instead of commercial yeast strains.
- No additives: no added sugar, acid, tannin, color, oak chips or flavoring yeasts.
- No heavy processing: no sterile filtration, reverse osmosis or flash heating. Many wines are unfined and unfiltered.
- Little or no added sulfur dioxide (sulfites), usually only a small amount at bottling, if any.
In France, the Vin Méthode Nature label, recognized in 2020, turns these principles into rules: certified organic grapes, hand harvesting, native yeasts, no additives, and no more than 30 mg/L of sulfites added before bottling. Most natural producers don't use any label at all, which is why a trusted shop matters.
Natural vs. organic vs. biodynamic wine: what's the difference?
These terms overlap but aren't interchangeable. Organic and biodynamic describe how grapes are farmed (and, for organic, some cellar rules). Natural describes the whole process, from vineyard to bottle.
| Term | Farming | In the cellar | Certified? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Organic | No synthetic chemicals | US "organic wine": no added sulfites. "Made with organic grapes" and EU organic: limited sulfites and additives allowed | Yes (USDA, EU) |
| Biodynamic | Organic plus a whole-farm system: composts, herbal preparations, a planting calendar | Stricter limits on additives than organic | Yes (Demeter, Biodyvin) |
| Natural | Organic or biodynamic | Native yeast, nothing added or removed, minimal sulfites | Rarely (Vin Méthode Nature in France) |
| Sustainable | Reduced chemical use; synthetic sprays allowed | Conventional | Sometimes (e.g. SIP, CSWA) |
Go deeper with what biodynamic wine is and what makes a wine vegan. Plenty of the world's best "classic" producers farm organically without advertising it, which is why our organic collection includes famous names alongside natural ones.
What does natural wine taste like?
Good natural wine tastes vivid and alive: brighter fruit, more acidity, lower alcohol and more texture than a conventional wine of the same grape. Some are crystal clear and classic. Others are cloudy, lightly fizzy or a little wild, with notes of cider, sourdough or kombucha.
A few styles you'll see again and again:
- Glou-glou reds: light, juicy, chillable reds made for easy drinking. See our guide to chillable red wines.
- Pét-nat: lightly sparkling wine bottled before fermentation finishes. See pet-nat explained.
- Orange wine: white grapes fermented on their skins like a red. See what orange wine tastes like and the rise of orange wine.
- Qvevri wines: Georgia's 8,000-year-old tradition of fermenting in buried clay vessels. See Georgia's ancient winemaking.
Is funky natural wine flawed?
Sometimes. Low intervention means less protection against faults, and not every natural wine is well made. Volatile acidity (a vinegar or nail-polish note), mousiness (a lingering taste like a hamster cage, noticed after you swallow) and heavy Brettanomyces (barnyard) are faults when they dominate. A little funk that blows off after the bottle is open for a few minutes is normal. A wine that tastes worse over time is not. Every bottle we sell is sommelier-selected, and if one isn't right, we'll refund it.
Is natural wine healthier?
Natural wine is still wine, with alcohol and calories. What it doesn't contain is dozens of permitted additives, and it usually has far fewer added sulfites. Some drinkers say they feel better after natural wine, but headaches have many causes, from alcohol and dehydration to histamines. We break down the evidence in sulfite-free and low-sulfite wine: what's actually true and wines less likely to give you a headache.
How should you store natural wine?
Keep it cool and out of the light, ideally around 55°F. Fewer sulfites mean less protection against heat and oxygen, so natural wine suffers faster in a hot car or on a sunny counter. Most are made to drink within a few years. Once opened, reseal and refrigerate, and finish the bottle within two or three days. Many natural wines actually improve on day two.
Where should you start?
Start with styles you already like. If you love Pinot Noir, try a natural Gamay from Beaujolais. If you love Sauvignon Blanc, try a Loire Chenin Blanc. If you love rosé, try a Sicilian rosato. Then branch out to orange wine and pét-nat. Our beginner's guide, is natural wine worth it?, walks through the first bottles to buy. Meet some of our favorite producers in Frank Cornelissen and Susucaru and Pepe Raventós.
Why buy natural wine from a specialist shop?
Because there's no reliable label, the shop is your filter. We choose every bottle from small importers and producers, and we ship with care, including cold packs in warm months. We're a San Diego shop that ships across California and to a growing list of states. Read more about why we focus on organic and natural wine.
FAQ
What is considered a natural wine?
Natural wine is made from organically or biodynamically farmed, hand-picked grapes, fermented with native yeasts, with no additives and little or no added sulfites. There is no legal definition in the US.
What is the difference between organic and natural wine?
Organic refers mainly to how the grapes are farmed and is certified. Natural covers the whole process and also avoids additives, commercial yeast and heavy processing. Most natural wine is organic, but most organic wine is not natural.
Does natural wine have sulfites?
All wine contains some sulfites produced naturally during fermentation. Natural winemakers add little or none, usually far less than conventional wines.
Why is natural wine cloudy?
Many natural wines are unfined and unfiltered, so fine yeast and grape particles stay in the bottle. Cloudiness is harmless and is part of the style.
How long does natural wine last once opened?
Two to three days in the fridge with a stopper. Many natural wines taste even better on the second day.
Natural wine is about farmers first. Start with a style you love and let the bottles lead you. Shop natural wine →
Want bottles like these picked for you every month? Join the Harvest Wine Club →
Header photo: Vindemia Winery on Unsplash
Natural & Organic Wine
