The Best Sustainable Wine Brands
– Our Buy Ensemble Picks –
Wine lovers, rejoice! We have great news: your favorite glass of wine just got a little better…for the planet and the people on it!
Did you know that not all wine is created equally? The grapes in your glass, when farmed ethically, can have a profoundly positive impact on the communities they’re grown in.
From biodynamic wine to sustainable vineyards and wine “made with organic grapes,” the language used in the wine industry can be a bit murky. We’re here to break it down by introducing you to the best sustainable wine brands who are farming their grapes ethically, bottling their wine with biodynamic practices, and creating empowering jobs for local growers.
If you’ve been wondering what wine brands are truly good for the world, keep reading! Whether you’re a wine novice or a sommelier in training, we promise that the winemakers in this guide won’t disappoint.
Our Buy Ensemble Picks: Sustainable Wine Brands
Brooks Sustainability and social responsibility are central to everything at Brooks Winery in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. We think it’s the best Oregon winery, given its Demeter Biodynamic Certification, B Corp status,1% for the Planet Membership, and continued commitment to their team and community.
Discover how passionate winemakers and biodynamically farmed and bottled wine create the world’s best pinot noirs and rieslings with Brooks.
Tablas Creek Tablas holds a certification in Biodynamic farming and is the first vineyard in the world to be Regenerative Organic Certified™!
Tablas’s commitment to land stewardship is evident in each perfectly crafted bottle. The rolling hills of their Paso Robles vineyard are home to an abundance of flora and fauna, which play an important role in keeping the soil healthy. And since healthy soil captures carbon, Tablas is actively fighting climate change by cultivating sustainable wine.
Benziger In Sonoma Valley, California, one winery is leading the charge on sustainable practices.
Benziger's wine is crafted with biodynamically and organically grown grapes to create the perfect glass. Their green farming practices are backed by comprehensive third-party certifications, making them winemakers you can truly trust. On their vineyards, you’ll find cattle, sheep, and gardens that improve the health of the land and the delicacy of the final product.
Silver Oak Nestled in one of the most famous winegrowing ecosystems, Silver Oak is a Napa Valley vineyard.
Silver Oak is famously eco-conscious and takes measures to reduce water usage and their carbon footprint through their LEED-certified and solar-powered operation. They use precision viticulture to create intentionally balanced grapevines for an elegant glass of wine.
Lubanzi A social enterprise inspired by the remote South African coastline, Lubanzi is a B Corp, 1% for the Planet Member, and Climate Neutral and Fair for Life certified winery.
Lubanzi’s vegan and ethical wine can be found in restaurants and shops around the United States. Why not enjoy a bottle of their 100% hand-picked signature Chenin Blanc, or grab a can of their Red Blend for your next adventure in the great outdoors?
Fetzer Fetzer is committed to making a better future through wine. In addition to being a B Corporation, Fetzer was the first winery to be zero-waste certified and carbon neutral.
Fetzer has partnered with Grow Ensemble favorite Fill it Forward to spread awareness on plastic pollution in our shared oceans. As a socially responsible company, Fetzer is constantly at the forefront of sustainable change.
Spottswoode One of the first wineries to adopt organic practices in Napa Valley, Spottswoode crafts an exquisitely balanced cabernet sauvignon (among other varietals) with ethical farming practices.
Founded in 1882, Spottswoode is an excellent example of how wineries can evolve to become champions for the environment. Spottswoode is also a Certified B Corporation.
Sokol Blosser Sokol Blosser was committed to sustainability at their Oregon winery long before it was cool to farm in the best way possible for the planet.
They were the first winery to be Certified Salmon-Safe, and they’re part of the local B Corp Community. In true fashion for the Willamette Valley, each grape variety Sokol Blosser produces is a unique reflection of the land it came from.
Winderlea This Willamette Valley winery boasts a B Certification and Demeter Certified Biodynamic farming practices.
Winderlea was founded by two Boston transplants who held a deep love for pinot noir and a dream of opening a winery. Oregon’s fertile Willamette Valley lends itself perfectly to their favorite types of grape: pinot noir and chardonnay.
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Sustainable Wine FAQs
What is sustainable wine? How can I tell if a wine is actually sustainable?
Sustainable wine is wine that has been cultivated with the environment in mind, from grapes to glass.
If you’re wondering whether a wine is truly sustainable, check what third-party certifications they have. If you’re not on the vineyard, look at the labels to find out if the winemaker’s priorities align with your own.
For example, if you’re excited about regenerative agriculture, choose a winery that either has the ROA certification or is pursuing it. Remember, once a vineyard passes certification requirements, the wine you’re buying might not yet be certified, since it takes time for those grapes to get to your glass.
What’s the difference between organic wine, natural wine, and biodynamic wine?
Organic wine generally means that the grapes haven’t been treated with harmful pesticides or herbicides, but there may be additives in the final product. Organic also doesn’t mean that the wine is vegan, but it does mean it was farmed in a way that’s better for the land than commercial farming practices. Check for the USDA organic seal or European equivalent to ensure you’re purchasing a certified organic product.
In both wine and food, “natural” doesn’t hold very much weight. Almost anyone can claim a product is natural, so we recommend staying away from brands using this language as a greenwashing tactic.
Biodynamic wine is organic plus. It’s made with as little human intervention as possible and incorporates crucial elements that keep the planet healthy, like biodiversity, soil health, and eco-friendly farming practices. Biodynamic farming uniquely prioritizes the land instead of exploiting it.
Is wine environmentally friendly? Is wine production bad for the environment?
On its own, the impact of making wine can be harmful. But not all wine production is bad for the environment. Silver Oak adheres to LEED certification requirements, which means their wine production doesn’t have the same impact as a non-sustainable wine brand.
Similarly, wineries that offset their emissions aren’t environmentally harmful. By pursuing carbon neutrality, wineries are helping to combat the effects of climate change from agriculture and production. In many cases, wine production actually rehabilitates land to make it healthier for animals and plants.
Why should I drink sustainable wine?
Not only is sustainable wine better for the land, animals, and people growing it, it’s safer for you to drink. Wine isn’t required to have an ingredients label, but you might be surprised to learn that there are many additives used in the commercial wine industry. Yeast, added sulfites, sugar, and even a super grape concentrate called Mega Purple sometimes go into bottles. These ingredients can cause headaches for some wine drinkers and aren’t necessary for a fantastic glass of white or red wine.
When you purchase wine from a vineyard like Brooks or Tablas, who are both Demeter Biodynamic Certified, you know that nothing extra (or potentially harmful) has been added during the bottling process.
Learn More About Sustainable, Better-for-the-World Wine
Janie Brooks Hueck, Managing Director of Brooks Wine, talks about redefining what “better wine & better winemaking” looks like in Willamette Valley Wine Country.
What Makes a Sustainable Vineyard?
Jason Haas & Jordan Lonborg from Tablas Creek, the world’s first Regenerative Organic Certified™ vineyard share with us what sustainability in the wine industry could look like
Getting started with wine? Learn about it all from the “better world” perspective.
Need help deciding between a chardonnay and a merlot or a pinot gris? Use our guide to find your new go-to glass.
Lost in the lingo? Learn about certifications in the wine industry and what they really do (and don’t) mean.
Get the skinny on the winemaking process from grape to glass with this informative post.
Want to learn how to get your brand listed in our directory? Get connected with us here.
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