What wines are celiac friendly? A complete gluten-free guide

October 16, 2025 •

2 min read

According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, most traditional, unflavored wines are naturally gluten-free and safe for celiacs. This is because wine is made from grapes, not gluten-containing grains, making the vast majority of wines celiac friendly.

Quick Summary

Most traditional red, white, and sparkling wines are naturally gluten-free and safe for celiacs. The risks of trace gluten from fining agents or barrel sealants are minimal, but caution is needed with flavored wines and coolers. Look for clear labeling or certified gluten-free options for complete assurance.

Key Points

Naturally Gluten-Free: Traditional wines, made from grapes, are inherently gluten-free.
Minimal Contamination Risk: Potential trace gluten from fining agents or barrel sealants is extremely rare and typically well below safe thresholds.
Avoid Flavored Products: Wine coolers and flavored wines often contain gluten-based additives and should be avoided.
Look for Certifications: For maximum security, choose certified gluten-free wines, which guarantee less than 20 ppm of gluten.
Opt for Stainless Steel: Wines aged in stainless steel tanks remove the minimal risk associated with oak barrel sealants.
Distillation Clears Gluten: Distilled or fortified wines like Port and Sherry are safe because the distillation process removes gluten.

Is Wine Naturally Gluten-Free?

Yes, wine is naturally gluten-free as it's produced from fermented grapes. The core winemaking process is free of gluten. There's a minimal risk of cross-contamination from certain winemaking practices for highly sensitive individuals, but for most with celiac disease, the risk is negligible.

Potential Sources of Gluten in Wine

Potential trace gluten sources are fining agents and barrel sealants.

Fining Agents

Fining clarifies wine. Common agents like egg whites, bentonite clay, and isinglass are gluten-free. While wheat protein was rarely used historically, studies indicate resulting gluten levels are below the 20 ppm standard for gluten-free labeling.

Barrel Sealants

Oak barrel aging is another potential source, but it's increasingly rare. Historically, some winemakers used wheat paste, but modern alternatives like paraffin wax are common now. Any gluten leaching from old methods is considered extremely low, below the FDA's threshold. Wines aged in stainless steel tanks are a good option to eliminate this risk.

Celiac-Friendly Wine Types and Brands

Traditional, unflavored wines are the safest for celiacs. Most red, white, and sparkling wines are naturally gluten-free.

Safe Varietals

Red Wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Malbec.
White Wines: Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Moscato.
Sparkling Wines: Champagne, Prosecco.
Fortified Wines: Port and Sherry are generally gluten-free due to distillation.

Choosing a Certified Gluten-Free Wine

For maximum assurance, look for certified gluten-free wines. Some wineries, such as Frey Vineyards, Cupcake Vineyards, and Bonterra Organic Vineyards, use gluten-free practices like stainless steel tanks and gluten-free fining agents.

Wine Products to Approach with Caution

Flavored wines, wine coolers, and wine cocktails may contain gluten from added ingredients like barley malt, flavorings, or coloring. Careful label checking is needed for these products.

Celiac-Friendly Wine Selection Guide


Wine Type	Safety for Celiacs	Key Factors
Traditional Unflavored Wines	High	Made from naturally gluten-free grapes. Potential for trace gluten is minimal and rare.
Flavored Wines & Coolers	Low/Unsafe	Often contain added flavorings, colorings, or barley malt which can contain gluten.
Stainless Steel Tank-Aged Wines	Highest	Eliminates the (already rare) risk of cross-contamination from wheat-paste sealed oak barrels.
Oak Barrel-Aged Wines	High	Risk is extremely low, but barrel sealant historically posed a minimal risk; modern winemaking typically uses wax.
Certified Gluten-Free Wines	Highest	Verified to contain less than 20 ppm gluten, offering maximum safety assurance.
Fortified Wines (e.g., Port)	High	Safe due to the distillation process removing gluten content.

Conclusion

Most traditional wines are safe for celiacs, as the minimal risks of gluten contamination from fining or barrel aging are largely historical. Modern winemaking makes traditional wine a safe choice. For extreme sensitivity, choose stainless steel-aged or certified gluten-free wines. Exercise caution with flavored wine products due to potential gluten additives. For more information, consult resources like Beyond Celiac.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, people with celiac disease can typically drink wine safely. Most unflavored, traditional wines are naturally gluten-free as they are made from grapes. However, it is advisable to be cautious with flavored wines and to check labels for any gluten-containing additives.

The risk of gluten contamination in wine is minimal. It could potentially occur from certain fining agents used for clarification or from wheat paste used to seal oak barrels during aging. However, these practices are rare, and studies show any resulting gluten levels are well below the 20 parts per million limit for 'gluten-free' labeling.

While most traditional wines (red, white, rosé, and sparkling) are gluten-free, flavored wines, wine coolers, and wine cocktails are not always safe. These products can contain added ingredients like barley malt or flavorings that include gluten, so checking the label is essential.

Fining agents are substances added to wine to clarify it by removing unwanted particles. While some rare, older methods might have used gluten-containing agents, most commonly used ones today, like egg whites or bentonite clay, are gluten-free. The risk of harm is very low even if trace gluten was used.

To be completely certain, look for wines that are explicitly labeled or certified as gluten-free. You can also choose wines aged in stainless steel tanks instead of oak barrels, and avoid any flavored wine products.

No, sparkling wines like Champagne and Prosecco are naturally gluten-free. They are made from grapes and are not subjected to any processes that would introduce gluten into the final product.

Yes, fortified wines such as Port and Sherry are considered gluten-free. Even if a grain containing gluten was used in their production, the distillation process would remove any traces of gluten.