What wine has no gluten in it? Your complete guide

December 1, 2025 •

4 min read

A majority of wines contain less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten, which is the legal limit for being labeled "gluten-free" in most countries. The good news is that most traditional wine has no gluten in it, but a few manufacturing processes can introduce trace amounts.

Quick Summary

Clarifying agents and barrel aging can sometimes introduce minimal gluten into wine, but most traditional, unflavored wines are naturally gluten-free. Flavored wines and coolers pose a higher risk due to additives. Always check the label for certification or contact the producer if you are highly sensitive.

Key Points

Naturally Gluten-Free: Traditional, unflavored wine is naturally gluten-free, as it is made from grapes and yeast, neither of which contain gluten.
Low Contamination Risk: While trace gluten can theoretically enter during fining or barrel aging, this is extremely rare and typically results in levels well below the 20 ppm legal limit for gluten-free products.
High-Risk Products: Flavored wines and wine coolers are the biggest concern, as they often contain gluten-based additives or are made from malt.
Certified Options: Many winemakers now offer certified gluten-free wines, providing extra assurance for those with celiac disease or high sensitivity.
How to Choose: To ensure safety, stick with standard wines or those aged in stainless steel, and read labels carefully for any additives.
Vegan Wine often means GF Wine: Many vegan wines are fined with gluten-free agents like clay, eliminating the need for gluten-containing animal byproducts.

Is Most Wine Naturally Gluten-Free?

Yes, the vast majority of traditional wine is naturally gluten-free and safe for individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. The core ingredients and process do not involve gluten-containing grains. Wine is made from grapes, and yeast is used during the fermentation process to convert sugars into alcohol. Neither grapes nor the yeast used in winemaking contain gluten. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other regulatory bodies allow products with less than 20 ppm of gluten to be labeled and considered gluten-free. Most standard, unflavored wines fall well below this threshold.

Potential Sources of Gluten Contamination

While the base ingredients are safe, there are some rare circumstances where trace amounts of gluten could be introduced during the winemaking process. For individuals with severe sensitivity, being aware of these possibilities is important.

Fining Agents

Fining is a clarification process that winemakers use to remove unwanted particles and make the wine clear and stable. While historically some fining agents contained gluten, this is extremely rare today. The most common fining agents used are naturally gluten-free:

Bentonite clay
Egg whites
Isinglass (fish protein)
Gelatin

Some vegan-friendly alternatives like pea protein are also gluten-free. Even in rare instances where wheat-based agents were used, studies found that residual gluten levels were negligible and far below the 20 ppm limit.

Barrel Aging

Some winemakers used to seal wooden barrels with wheat paste to prevent leaks during aging, though this is a very uncommon and largely outdated practice. Most modern winemakers use paraffin wax or other gluten-free alternatives for sealing barrels. Tests on wines aged in these traditional barrels showed gluten levels well below the detection threshold. Opting for wines aged in stainless steel tanks is another way to ensure there is no barrel-related gluten risk.

Flavored Products and Coolers

This is the most significant area of concern for gluten-sensitive individuals. Wine coolers, flavored wines, and some wine-based cocktails often contain additives like flavorings, colorings, and sweeteners that can contain gluten. For example, some wine coolers are made with a malt alcohol base, which contains gluten. It is crucial to read the label carefully on these products.

Recommended Gluten-Free Wine Types and Brands

For maximum safety, sticking to traditional, unflavored wines is best. Certified organic wines or those explicitly labeled as "gluten-free" offer an extra layer of assurance. Many brands have recognized the demand for guaranteed gluten-free options and are transparent about their processes.

Types of wine that are almost universally gluten-free:

Red Wine (e.g., Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir)
White Wine (e.g., Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio)
Sparkling Wine (e.g., Champagne, Prosecco)
Rosé Wine
Port and Sherry

Brands committed to gluten-free practices often include:

Frey Vineyards (organic, uses clay for fining)
Cupcake Vineyards (uses stainless steel fermentation)
Bonterra Organic Vineyards (organic, uses gluten-free agents)
Red Truck Wines (uses modern, gluten-free techniques)
FitVine Wine (specializes in gluten-free and vegan wines)

Comparison Table: Gluten Risk in Wine Products


Product Type	Gluten Risk	Typical Practices	Best For	Check Label?
Traditional Wine (Red, White, Rosé)	Very Low	Grapes fermented with yeast, sometimes fined with gluten-free agents (clay, egg whites), aged in stainless steel or wax-sealed barrels.	Most people, including those with celiac disease, are safe with most traditional wine.	No, unless flavored. Risk is minimal.
Flavored Wines (e.g., Fruit-infused)	Higher	Contain added flavorings and colors that can potentially contain gluten.	Not for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals without label verification.	Yes, always.
Wine Coolers	Highest	Often contain barley malt or other gluten-based additives.	Only safe if specifically labeled gluten-free.	Yes, always. Avoid unless certified.
Certified Gluten-Free Wine	None	Products explicitly tested to contain less than 20 ppm of gluten.	Individuals with high sensitivity or celiac disease seeking maximum assurance.	No, the certification provides assurance.

Conclusion

For individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, navigating alcoholic beverages requires attention, but the news for wine lovers is overwhelmingly positive. At its core, nearly all traditional wine is naturally gluten-free, derived from fermented grapes. While obscure practices like wheat paste in barrels or gluten-based fining agents existed, they are now exceptionally rare and result in negligible, non-harmful gluten levels. The primary risk lies with flavored wine products and wine coolers, which may contain gluten-based additives and should be avoided or carefully scrutinized. For peace of mind, seeking out wines fermented in stainless steel or choosing a certified gluten-free brand guarantees a safe and enjoyable experience.

Always verify with the manufacturer if you have severe gluten sensitivities. Many wineries are transparent about their production methods and can provide specific information about their fining and aging processes.

Finding genuinely gluten-free wine is a simple process of prioritizing traditional, unflavored varieties and being cautious with any wine-based products that have added flavorings or colorings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, most people with celiac disease can safely drink wine. The risk of contamination with a significant amount of gluten is minimal, especially with traditional, unflavored wines.

Yes, both red and white wines are naturally gluten-free since they are made from grapes. The risk of gluten contamination from fining or barrel aging is very low and affects red and white wines equally.

Some rare, historical fining agents did contain gluten, but most common modern agents like egg whites, bentonite clay, and gelatin are gluten-free. Vegan wines often use clay, which is also safe.

No, wine coolers and flavored wines may contain gluten from added ingredients or a malt alcohol base. These should be avoided unless explicitly labeled as gluten-free.

Historically, wheat paste was sometimes used to seal oak barrels, but this practice is very rare now. Most wineries use wax or age in stainless steel, and studies show negligible gluten transfer even with older methods.

For absolute certainty, look for wines that are certified gluten-free. For most standard wines, avoiding flavored products and opting for those aged in stainless steel provides high assurance.

Yes, brands like Frey Vineyards, Cupcake Vineyards, Bonterra Organic Vineyards, and FitVine Wine are known for producing or explicitly labeling their products as gluten-free.