What Type of Wine Is Vegan? A Complete Guide to Animal-Free Winemaking

December 2, 2025 •

4 min read

While wine is made from grapes, a natural assumption is that it's always vegan, but that is often not the case. The use of animal-derived products during the winemaking process can make many wines unsuitable for vegans. Understanding what type of wine is vegan depends on a clarification process called fining and the alternatives used.

Quick Summary

Despite its grape origins, wine is not always vegan due to the use of animal products as fining agents for clarification. Vegan wines use plant-based or mineral alternatives during this process, or are simply left unfiltered, allowing for a fully cruelty-free production.

Key Points

Fining is the Cause: Wine isn't always vegan because of fining, a clarification process using animal products.
Animal Agents Are Common: Traditional fining uses animal-derived products such as isinglass (fish), casein (milk), and egg whites.
Vegan Alternatives Exist: Vegan winemakers use plant-based agents like Bentonite clay, activated charcoal, or pea protein for clarification.
'Unfined' Means Vegan: Wines labeled 'unfined' or 'unfiltered' are vegan, as they naturally clarify without any fining agents.
Certification is Key: Look for official symbols from organizations like the Vegan Society or V-Label for guaranteed vegan products.
Organic Doesn't Mean Vegan: Organic wine focuses on farming practices but can still use animal fining agents, so check for specific vegan certification.
Taste Isn't Affected: Fining agents, animal or vegan, do not noticeably alter the final taste of the wine.
Check Online Resources: Websites like Barnivore.com and many retailers have specific directories for finding vegan wines.

The Surprising Truth Behind Traditional Winemaking

Many people are surprised to learn that wine, which is fermented grape juice, is not always vegan. The non-vegan aspect arises not from the grapes themselves, but from the winemaking process known as fining. Fining agents are used to remove cloudiness caused by natural yeast and protein molecules, which are completely harmless but considered aesthetically undesirable by many consumers. These fining agents, added to the wine during production, bind to the unwanted particles, causing them to clump together and settle at the bottom of the vat. The clear wine is then siphoned off, leaving the sediment behind. While the fining agents are mostly removed, tiny trace amounts can be absorbed, rendering the wine non-vegan.

Non-Vegan Fining Agents

Historically, and still commonly today, many winemakers rely on animal-derived products for fining. These include:

Isinglass: Derived from fish bladder membranes, used mainly for clarifying white and rosé wines.
Casein: A milk protein used to remove bitterness and improve clarity in white wines.
Albumin: Egg whites, traditionally used to soften harsh tannins in red wines.
Gelatin: Sourced from animal bones and skin, used for clarifying both white and red wines.

Identifying What Type of Wine Is Vegan

Fortunately, it is becoming easier to find vegan-friendly wines as the demand for plant-based products grows. Many winemakers now either choose not to fine their wines or use animal-free alternatives that achieve the same result. The following section explores how you can identify these options.

Vegan and Unfined Winemaking Techniques

Vegan Fining Agents: Modern winemaking has developed excellent vegan-friendly fining agents. These plant- and mineral-based substances work just as effectively as their animal-derived counterparts. Popular examples include Bentonite clay, a negatively charged clay that binds to positively charged proteins, and vegetable proteins, such as those derived from peas or potatoes. Activated charcoal is another effective vegan option used to remove undesirable compounds.
Unfined and Unfiltered Wines: Many winemakers are adopting a minimal intervention approach by not fining or filtering their wines at all. Given enough time, the wine will naturally clarify itself, a process called 'self-fining'. These wines may contain more sediment, sometimes appearing as a slight haze or small crystals, but this is a natural byproduct and does not affect the quality or taste. The phrases 'unfined' or 'unfiltered' on the label are reliable indicators of a vegan-friendly product.
Certified Vegan: The most straightforward way to identify vegan wine is to look for official certifications on the label. Organizations such as the Vegan Society (with its sunflower trademark) or the V-Label provide reliable verification that a product is completely animal-free. A certified wine guarantees that no animal products were used at any stage of production, from the fining process to the packaging.

Vegan vs. Organic Wine: A Clarification Table


Feature	Vegan Wine	Organic Wine
Focus	Excludes all animal-derived products from the winemaking process.	Prohibits the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers in the vineyard.
Fining Agents	Uses only plant-based or mineral fining agents (e.g., bentonite clay, pea protein) or is unfined.	Can still use animal-based fining agents like egg whites or casein, despite organic farming.
Vineyard Practices	May or may not follow organic farming methods. A vegan wine is not necessarily organic.	Adheres to strict organic farming standards. May or may not be vegan.
Certification	Look for vegan-specific certifications like the V-Label or The Vegan Society trademark.	Look for organic certifications from governing bodies like the USDA in the US or the EU organic logo.
Conclusion	A guarantee that no animal products were used in the wine's production.	A guarantee of sustainable, chemical-free grape growing, but does not confirm vegan status.

How to Find and Choose Vegan Wine

Finding vegan wine is easier than ever with modern resources. If the label lacks a certified vegan symbol or the 'unfined/unfiltered' declaration, it requires a little extra research. Many retailers and online stores now offer dedicated vegan wine sections. Websites like Barnivore.com also maintain extensive lists of vegan alcoholic beverages, although it's always best to check with the manufacturer for the most current information. Given the increasing awareness and demand, more wineries are prioritizing transparency and ethical practices, making it possible to enjoy high-quality wines guilt-free. For a truly authentic and minimal-intervention experience, seeking out unfined, unfiltered, or 'natural' wines is a safe bet, as these are often vegan by default. Ultimately, the best way to ensure your wine choice is cruelty-free is to look for a specific vegan certification on the bottle, providing peace of mind with every sip.

For further guidance, consult reliable online resources such as Vegan.com, which lists popular vegan wine brands like Frey Vineyards and Red Truck Wines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fining is a process used to clarify wine by removing hazy particles, such as proteins and tannins, that result from fermentation. Winemakers use fining to ensure the wine is clear and bright for consumers.

No, not all wines are vegan. While the core ingredient is grapes, many wines use animal-derived products during the fining process, which disqualifies them as vegan.

Common animal products used for fining include isinglass (fish bladders), gelatin (animal bones and connective tissues), egg whites, and casein (milk protein).

Vegan fining agents include bentonite clay, activated charcoal, pea protein, potato protein, and synthetic polymers like PVPP.

No, the taste is not noticeably different. The fining agents are filtered out before bottling and do not impact the flavor profile, which is primarily determined by the grape variety and terroir.

The easiest way is to look for a certified vegan label, such as the Vegan Society's sunflower trademark. Other indicators include 'unfined' or 'unfiltered' on the bottle. If in doubt, check with the winery or use online resources like Barnivore.com.

No, an organic certification only ensures that the grapes were grown without synthetic chemicals. Some organic wines still use animal-based fining agents, so it is important to check for a specific vegan label.

You can trust official vegan certification labels, but not all wineries clearly state their fining methods on the label. When labels are unclear, research the producer online or check for 'unfined' or 'unfiltered' mentions.