Organic and sustainable wines

We know that for many of you, it is not just the label that is important, but what is in the bottle. Many wines we stock are made organically and with great sensitivity to preserving the health of the vineyard. Despite this, they may not be certified as organic. There are several possible reasons for this, including the costs or complications associated with certification, or the fact that specific certifications are not universally valid across all markets. Some producers also take issue with the permitted practices for organic wines. For example, copper additions in vineyards – common in many organic systems to prevent certain fungal diseases – can result in a build-up in the soil, which is toxic to many organisms.

Additionally, some producers may struggle to source specific organic-certified inputs for their vineyards, including organic yeast. In a challenging vintage, their levels of sulphite additions may be slightly over the permitted threshold for organic wine. Despite this, these growers take great care of their vineyards and their wine, and we want to highlight their efforts in this area.