Are All Natural Wines Vegan? Separating Fact from Fiction for a Healthy Nutrition Diet

November 10, 2025 •

5 min read

Most people assume wine is naturally vegan since it's made from grapes, but this is a common misconception. This is why the question, "Are all natural wines vegan?" has become so important for those adhering to a plant-based nutrition diet.

Quick Summary

Natural wines are not inherently vegan because winemakers can use animal-derived products in the fining process. Learn what to look for and how to ensure your wine aligns with your dietary principles.

Key Points

Natural vs. Vegan: Natural wine is not automatically vegan; the presence of animal-derived fining agents is the deciding factor.
The Fining Process: Winemakers use fining agents like egg whites, casein, and isinglass to clarify wine, making it unsuitable for a vegan diet.
Unfined is Vegan: Wines labeled "unfined and unfiltered" are typically vegan as they contain no fining agents, but look for certification to be certain.
Check for Certification: The most reliable way to ensure a wine is vegan is to look for official certifications like the V-Label or BeVeg on the bottle.
Organic is Not Enough: An organic label does not guarantee a vegan product, as organic practices can still use animal products for fining or in vineyards.
Nutritional Impact: While the core nutritional value is similar, some suggest that unfined vegan wines may retain more beneficial antioxidants like resveratrol.

For anyone following a plant-based nutrition diet, the beverage options, especially wine, can be confusing. While the primary ingredients of wine—grapes and yeast—are vegan, the journey from vine to bottle involves several processes that can introduce animal products. The rise in popularity of natural wine, which is known for its minimal intervention approach, has led many to believe it's a safe choice for vegans. However, the assumption that all natural wines are vegan is incorrect. To understand why, it is essential to delve into the winemaking process and distinguish between the various labels on the market.

The Fining Process and Animal-Derived Agents

The crucial step that often makes wine non-vegan is called fining. Fining is a clarification process used to remove particles that cause haziness in wine, such as proteins, tannins, and other suspended solids. A fining agent is added to the wine to bind with these particles, causing them to clump together and settle at the bottom, where they are then filtered out. While the fining agent is generally removed, tiny traces can be absorbed, which is why it disqualifies the wine for strict vegans.

Historically, winemakers have used a range of animal products for this purpose. These traditional fining agents include:

Isinglass: A protein derived from the swim bladders of fish.
Casein: A protein sourced from milk.
Albumen: Derived from egg whites.
Gelatin: A protein from animal hides and bones.

These agents are effective but compromise the vegan status of the final product. The good news for those following a plant-based nutrition diet is that many winemakers are now opting for vegan-friendly alternatives.

Vegan-Friendly Fining and the 'Unfined' Option

In response to growing demand, modern winemakers have embraced alternatives that achieve the same clarity and stability without using animal products. Common vegan fining agents include:

Bentonite clay: A negatively charged clay that attracts and binds to positively charged proteins.
Activated charcoal: Used to remove color and off-flavors.
Pea protein: A plant-based protein alternative to casein and gelatin.
Kaolin clay: Another clay-based mineral used for clarification.

Another option, particularly common in natural winemaking, is to skip the fining process altogether, leaving the wine "unfined and unfiltered". These wines may have a cloudy appearance and contain more sediment, but they are inherently vegan as no animal products are used for clarification. This minimal-intervention approach is a cornerstone of the natural wine philosophy, but it is not a universal rule. Some natural winemakers still choose to fine their wines, so it's not a guarantee.

Natural vs. Vegan vs. Organic: Understanding the Nuances

For those invested in a conscious nutrition diet, navigating the different wine labels can be complex. Natural, organic, and vegan are distinct categories and are not interchangeable. Here is a comparison to clarify the key differences:


Attribute	Natural Wine	Vegan Wine	Organic Wine
Grapes	Organic or biodynamic grapes preferred.	Not necessarily organic; can use conventional grapes.	Grapes must be grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers.
Additives	Minimal intervention; few to no additives.	No animal-derived ingredients used during production.	Restrictions on certain additives and sulfites.
Fining Process	Often unfined, but can still use animal products.	Uses only plant-based fining agents or is unfined.	May use animal-based fining agents.
Certification	No official certification body; based on philosophy.	Certified by organizations like BeVeg or the Vegan Society.	Certified by governmental bodies (e.g., USDA Organic).
Animal Products	Minimal, but animal products are not strictly prohibited.	No animal products used at any stage of production.	Animal manure may be used in vineyards.

Beyond the Fining: Other Vegan Considerations

For the most stringent vegans, it's important to be aware of other potential non-vegan elements in wine production. Some winemakers may use animal-based glues for bottle labels or beeswax to seal bottles. While less common, these details can matter to some consumers. Additionally, some biodynamic farming practices, which are often associated with natural winemaking, can involve animal manure or other animal products in the vineyard. This further emphasizes that a natural or even organic label doesn't automatically mean a product is vegan. Checking for official vegan certification is the only way to be absolutely certain.

The Nutritional Profile of Vegan Wine

Regarding the nutritional aspects, the primary difference between a vegan and non-vegan wine lies in the production method, not the fundamental components. Wine contains calories from carbohydrates and alcohol. However, some proponents suggest that unfined, vegan wines may offer a more robust nutritional profile. By avoiding fining, these wines retain more of the grape's natural compounds, such as resveratrol. Resveratrol is an antioxidant found in grape skins and has been linked to heart health and other benefits. While fining agents are removed, the process can potentially strip some of these beneficial compounds.

How to Find and Verify Vegan Wine

The best way to ensure your wine is vegan is to look for specific cues on the bottle.

Vegan Certification Labels: Look for symbols from reputable organizations, such as the Vegan Society (sunflower logo) or the V-Label (Europe). The BeVeg certification is another reliable option.
"Unfined/Unfiltered" Labeling: As mentioned, this is a strong indicator that the wine is vegan, though not a guarantee without certification.
Check with the Winery: If in doubt, contact the winery directly or check their website. Many now list their vegan offerings.
Online Databases: Websites like Barnivore provide comprehensive, crowd-sourced information on vegan alcohol products.

Conclusion

The question of "Are all natural wines vegan?" is a nuanced one with a definitive answer: no, they are not necessarily vegan. The presence of animal-derived fining agents in the winemaking process is the primary reason. For those following a plant-based nutrition diet, the safest bet is to look for wines explicitly labeled as vegan, often with a certified symbol, or those marked as unfined and unfiltered. By understanding the fining process and what to look for on a label, you can confidently make informed dietary choices and enjoy your wine with peace of mind. For more detailed information on fining agents, a useful resource is Decanter's guide on the topic: What is fining in wine? Ask Decanter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fining is a process used in winemaking to clarify and stabilize wine by removing suspended particles that can cause haziness. A fining agent is added to bind to these particles, which then settle and are removed.

Common animal-based fining agents include egg whites (albumin), milk protein (casein), gelatin from animal hides, and isinglass from fish bladders.

Not necessarily. While many unfined and unfiltered wines are vegan, it is not a guarantee. Some winemakers may still use animal-based products in other stages of the process. It's best to check for explicit vegan labeling or certification.

The most reliable methods are to look for a certified vegan logo (like the V-Label or BeVeg), find a bottle marked 'unfined' or 'unfiltered', or check online databases and the winery's website.

Vegan-friendly alternatives for fining include bentonite clay, activated charcoal, pea protein, and kaolin clay. Many winemakers also opt to simply leave their wine unfined.

The fining process typically has a minimal effect on the final taste of the wine, as the agents are removed. Therefore, the difference in flavor is generally not due to whether it is vegan or not.

Yes, a wine can be organic but not vegan. Organic certification focuses on agricultural practices, like avoiding synthetic pesticides, but does not prohibit the use of animal products, including fining agents, in the winemaking process.

Natural wines are made with minimal intervention and often contain fewer additives. Some research suggests that less-processed vegan wines may retain more antioxidants like resveratrol, which can be beneficial for health.