Did you know that a lot of wine has stuff added to it? Additives can include yeasts, chemicals, coloring, pesticides, and more. That is *not* something I want to be sipping on. Don’t worry though, these 5 organic wine clubs are coming to the rescue.
From white to red, orange to sparkling, there are an overwhelming amount of wines out there to try. Wine subscriptions offer consumers the chance to try curated, hand-selected wines they might not have access to at their local grocery store or wine ship. Plus, with shipping straight to your door, stocking your wine collection has never been easier. (Pst, don’t worry, some of these subscriptions offer carbon-neutral shipping!)
To truly get a sustainable wine, you gotta go to the source: the grape. The way that wine grapes are farmed, harvested, and then produced into wine are all very important to the overall quality and taste of the bottle. The wine subscriptions on this list know the importance of treating the grape right, with most using organic, biodynamic, and/or regenerative farming methods at their vineyards.
What is Difference Between Organic Wine and Biodynamic Wine?
Organic is a pretty commonly used term, but biodynamic was new to me and might be new to you, too. Let’s take a look at the differences between these two farming methods.
Organic farming is done without using potentially harmful elements like chemicals, pesticides, fertilizers, or any other artificially produced agent. While some fertilizers, pesticides, and chemicals can be made naturally, or without harmful ingredients, most commercial farms use the stuff that damages soil, air quality, and the overall crop.
Biodynamic farming is basically like taking organic farming up a notch. Biodynamic farms work to create a harmonious cycle with the land they grow crops on. They compost, use crop rotation practices, incorporate animals for maintenance, diversity, and manure, among other things. If you want to read more about biodynamic farming, click here.
What is Natural Wine?
Natural wine is pretty similar to organic wine, but it is a big more laissez-faire, if you will. Organic wine doesn’t use any harmful ingredients, and typically doesn’t add or subtract anything from their wine, but they can sometimes use a natural yeast to increase fermentation. Natural wine, on the other hand, is made through “spontaneous fermentation”. That basically means that wineries making natural wine let their grapes work their own magic, monitor it, and then test it to their standards. One of the brands mentioned below, Mysa, has an Ultimate Guide to natural wine on their website. It can give you all the juicy info, but I’ll sum it up: natural wines are categorized by how the grapes were grown and treated to create the bottle you end up enjoying. They’re grown organically or biodynamically and then they are left alone to do their thing – no adding yeast to aid with fermentation or removing anything. And voila – natural wine! Red, rose, white, sparkling, and orange.
Our Top Sustainable & Organic Wine Clubs and Subscriptions:
1. Mysa
Subscription Price:
Mixed Natural Wine Club: $150 (6 bottles)
Orange Natural Wine Club: $125 (4 bottles)
Red Natural Wine Club: $125 (4 bottles)
This female-founded small business is all about natural wines.
They also offer individual tasting videos for each wine shipped out that month, for a more intimate experience – it’s like visiting a local wine shop without having to take off your pjs!
Though they are a small business, they are mighty! They are a 1% For The Planet partner, and they partner with Carbon Fund to help offset the carbon footprint of shipping unique wines to your door. Holly, the founder, also writes about sustainability within the natural wine industry on Porto Protocol. As a female-founded company, they are all about empowering other women in the wine industry. They work with Color of Change, The Roots Fund, and Lift Collective, to name a few. They offer wine club options that range from $85-$125.
2. Avaline
Subscription Price: 15% off with their Wine Club membership ($245+ for 12 bottles)
Avaline is committed to crafting wines that are pure and untainted by unnecessary additives. Their offerings are infused with natural goodness, ensuring that every sip is free from unwanted elements such as artificial concentrates, coloring agents, and added sugars. This dedication to quality sets Avaline apart from many other wine brands, as they believe in elevating the standard of what wine can be.
Transparency is a core principle for Avaline. Unlike many winemakers who are only legally obligated to disclose minimal information about their products, Avaline proudly lists the full ingredient composition on every bottle. This empowers consumers to know exactly what they are enjoying.
Plus, Avaline partners with like-minded growers who share their commitment to sustainability. These growers prioritize eco-friendly practices and rely entirely on natural methods to cultivate healthy grapes, steering clear of synthetic pesticides. This results in wines that not only taste exceptional but also reflect a harmonious relationship with the environment.
3. Kind of Wild
Subscription Price: $120 for 6 Bottles
9When you choose Kind of Wild wines, you are investing in much more than just a bottle of wine; you are actively contributing to a global movement dedicated to sustainable agriculture.
Their commitment extends beyond taste; it encompasses an entire ecosystem of growers who prioritize innovative farming practices aimed at fostering a healthier planet. These dedicated growers work tirelessly to enhance soil health, reduce soil erosion, and keep our precious waterways free from harmful chemicals.
Every wine produced by Kind of Wild is crafted with the highest standards in mind, boasting certifications that ensure they are organic, vegan, and contain zero sugar.
Each bottle reflects a passion for quality and a careful selection of grapes, allowing wine lovers to enjoy a pure and guilt-free experience!
4. Tinto Amorio
Subscription Starting Price: $98 for 3 Bottles
Tinto Amorio’s commitment to crafting natural wines starts with a foundation of sustainable farming practices. They prioritize the growth of their grapes through organic or biodynamic methodologies, emphasizing the importance of cultivating a healthy ecosystem. Once harvested, the grapes undergo spontaneous fermentation, utilizing the naturally occurring wild yeasts found on the grape skins, rather than relying on commercially produced lab-grown yeasts.
In the winemaking process, Tinto refuses the use of over 60 additives commonly found in conventional wines. This includes avoiding animal-derived products, synthetic chemicals, artificial flavorings, and manipulative processes such as pasteurization. The only addition they permit is a limited amount of sulfur, which is carefully used to protect the integrity of the wines during bottling.
Tinto offers flexible subscription options for enthusiasts looking to explore their range of natural wines, with choices for 3, 6, 9, or 12 bottles, allowing customers to tailor their experience according to their preferences.
5. Plonk Wine club
Subscription Prices: $110 for 4 Bottles
Plonk was started by Etty Klein, who’s well-known in the wine world and has been named a Top 40 Under 40 Tastemaker by Food and Wine. Plonk focuses on wines made with organic and biodynamic methods, so you get great quality and know you’re supporting the environment, too.
Plonk offers a few different wine clubs, so you can pick what works for you: mixed, red, or white. You can choose how many bottles you want in each shipment (four, six, or twelve), and you can pay month-to-month, making it easy to change or pause your subscription whenever you want.
If you’d rather plan ahead, you can prepay for shipments every three, six, or twelve months, super convenient if you like things simple. Plonk takes care of everything, so all you have to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy great wine delivered to your door.
