Which brands of wine are vegan?

January 7, 2026 •

7 min read

Over 99% of wines from The Sourcing Table are vegan, which challenges the misconception that all wine is inherently vegan. The truth is that many winemakers use animal-derived products during the clarification process, so knowing which brands of wine are vegan is crucial for those on a plant-based diet.

Quick Summary

This guide explains why some wines are not vegan, details the animal-derived fining agents used, and provides a list of reliable vegan wine brands. It also offers advice on how to identify vegan wines and includes resources like the Barnivore directory.

Key Points

Veganism and Winemaking: While wine is made from grapes, the fining process—used for clarification—often involves animal-derived products.
Common Non-Vegan Fining Agents: Traditional fining agents include isinglass (fish bladder), casein (milk protein), egg whites, and gelatin (animal protein).
Vegan Alternatives: Winemakers use modern, vegan-friendly fining agents like bentonite clay and activated charcoal, or simply leave the wine unfined and unfiltered.
Identifying Vegan Wine: Look for specific vegan certification symbols (like the V-Label) or the words 'unfined' or 'unfiltered' on the bottle to ensure it's vegan.
Reputable Brands: Notable vegan wine brands include Frey Vineyards, Avaline, The Vegan Vine, and Proudly Vegan, among others.
Online Resources: Use online databases like Barnivore to check the vegan status of specific brands and products.
Taste is Unaffected: The fining process does not alter the taste profile, so vegan wine can be just as delicious as non-vegan wine.

Understanding the Winemaking Process and Fining

At its core, wine is made from fermented grape juice. However, during fermentation, the wine naturally becomes cloudy due to molecules like proteins, tannins, and phenolics. While this cloudiness is harmless, most consumers and retailers prefer a crystal-clear, bright wine. To achieve this, winemakers use a process called 'fining'. Fining involves adding a clarifying agent to the wine that binds to the suspended particles, causing them to clump together and sink to the bottom. The clear wine can then be separated from this sediment.

The vegan-friendly status of a wine depends entirely on the type of fining agent used. Traditionally, many fining agents have been derived from animals, rendering the final product non-vegan, even if the agents are later filtered out.

Common Non-Vegan Fining Agents

Isinglass: A gelatin-like substance derived from the dried swim bladders of fish. This is a very common fining agent, especially for white wines, to remove solids and color.
Casein: A protein derived from milk. It is often used to clarify white wines and remove oxidative taint.
Egg Albumen: Egg whites are used, particularly in red wines, to soften harsh tannins.
Gelatin: A protein obtained by boiling animal bones, ligaments, and hides. It is used to clarify both red and white wines.
Chitin/Chitosan: A fiber sourced from the shells of crustaceans. It is used to remove excess phenols and color from white wines.

Vegan-Friendly Fining Alternatives

Many winemakers are now adopting vegan-friendly alternatives to attract a growing vegan consumer base. These alternatives can be just as effective in clarifying wine.

Bentonite Clay: A type of purified clay that is highly effective at binding and removing suspended particles in wine.
Activated Charcoal: Used to remove color and off-odors from wine.
Vegetable Proteins: Derived from sources like peas or wheat, these proteins can serve as a fining agent.
Mechanical Filtration: The winemaker can simply filter the wine using modern equipment, bypassing the need for any fining agent.
Unfined/Unfiltered: Some winemakers choose to skip the fining process altogether, leaving the wine in its natural, unfiltered state. These wines may have a slight cloudiness or sediment but are perfectly safe to drink.

A Comparison of Vegan vs. Non-Vegan Wine Production


Feature	Vegan Wine Production	Non-Vegan Wine Production
Clarification Method	Uses bentonite clay, activated charcoal, vegetable proteins, or is left unfined.	Uses isinglass (fish bladder), casein (milk protein), egg whites, or gelatin.
Appearance	May be slightly cloudy or have sediment if unfined, though many vegan alternatives produce clear wine.	Typically crystal clear due to the use of fining agents.
Taste	Does not significantly affect the taste. Some proponents argue it allows for a purer expression of the grape's flavor.	Does not inherently affect the taste, as the fining agents are filtered out.
Labeling	Often certified with vegan logos (e.g., V-Label, Vegan Society sunflower) or labeled 'unfined/unfiltered'.	Less likely to have a vegan certification, and fining agents are often not listed on the label.
Ethical Impact	Considered more ethical by vegans as no animal products are used in any part of the process, including fining or sometimes even vineyard practices.	Considered unethical by vegans due to the use of animal-derived products during clarification.

Examples of Vegan Wine Brands

Identifying which brands of wine are vegan can be done by looking for certifications or using online resources like Barnivore. Here is a list of brands commonly known to be vegan-friendly based on available information:

Frey Vineyards: One of the pioneering organic and vegan wineries in the US.
Avaline: A brand known for its transparent, organic, and vegan-friendly wines.
Red Truck Wines: A widely available brand with several vegan-friendly offerings.
Bonterra: A well-regarded organic wine brand, though it's important to note that not all varieties may be vegan (white/rosé are typically vegan, while some reds may not be).
The Vegan Vine: A brand specifically dedicated to producing certified vegan wines.
Proudly Vegan: As the name suggests, this brand offers a range of wines guaranteed to be vegan.
Michael-David Winery: Many wines from this California winery are vegan.
Kind of Wild: A collection of organic and vegan wines sourced from various regions.
Stellar Winery: A South African winery specializing in organic and vegan-friendly wines.
Majestic Wine (Specifics): The retailer Majestic Wine stocks numerous vegan options and notes which ones are vegan on their website, such as their Definition series.

How to Ensure Your Wine is Vegan

Look for Certification Logos: Check the bottle for a vegan certification symbol, such as the V-Label or the Vegan Society's sunflower trademark. These indicate that a third party has verified the wine's production methods.
Read the Label for 'Unfined' or 'Unfiltered': If a label explicitly states 'unfined' or 'unfiltered,' it means no fining agents were used, and the wine is vegan.
Use Online Databases: Websites like Barnivore.com maintain an extensive, user-generated database of vegan and non-vegan alcohols. It's a reliable resource for checking specific brands and products.
Contact the Winery: For smaller or less-known wineries, the most accurate method is to contact them directly and inquire about their fining process.

Conclusion

Navigating the world of vegan wine is becoming easier as more brands respond to consumer demand for ethical and transparent production. While wine itself is made from grapes, the use of animal-derived fining agents like isinglass, gelatin, and casein during clarification makes many traditional wines unsuitable for vegans. Fortunately, the rise of vegan-friendly alternatives, clear labeling, and online resources empowers consumers to make informed choices. Brands like Frey Vineyards, Avaline, and The Vegan Vine offer dedicated vegan options, while checking for 'unfined/unfiltered' status or consulting a database like Barnivore provides certainty. By being mindful of the fining process, enjoying high-quality, cruelty-free wine is a simple and delicious reality.

Which brands of wine are vegan keypoints

Fining Agents Determine Vegan Status: The use of animal-derived agents like isinglass or casein for clarifying wine determines if it is vegan.
Non-Vegan Agents are Filtered Out: Even though animal-based fining agents are removed, minuscule traces may remain, making the wine non-vegan.
Vegan Alternatives Exist: Many winemakers now use plant-based or mineral-based fining agents like bentonite clay, activated charcoal, or vegetable proteins.
Certified Vegan Labels are Most Reliable: The easiest way to identify a vegan wine is to look for official certifications, such as the V-Label or The Vegan Society's trademark.
'Unfined' or 'Unfiltered' Labels are Vegan: If the wine bottle is labeled as 'unfined' or 'unfiltered,' it is vegan, as no clarifying agents were used.
Online Databases are Useful: Resources like Barnivore.com offer extensive databases for checking specific wine brands and their vegan status.

Which brands of wine are vegan faqs

Question: Why isn't all wine vegan, since it's made from grapes? Answer: Wine is not always vegan because of the fining process used to clarify it. Winemakers often add animal-derived products like isinglass (fish bladder), gelatin, casein (milk protein), or egg whites to remove particles and cloudiness, making the final product non-vegan.

Question: What are some popular vegan wine brands? Answer: Popular vegan wine brands include Frey Vineyards, Avaline, The Vegan Vine, Proudly Vegan, and many offerings from brands like Bonterra and Red Truck. Online resources can confirm the vegan status of specific products from these wineries.

Question: Does vegan wine taste different than non-vegan wine? Answer: No, the fining process does not significantly impact the taste of the wine. Vegan alternatives or unfined production methods result in wine that tastes virtually identical to traditionally fined wine.

Question: How can I tell if a wine is vegan without a specific label? Answer: Look for terms like 'unfined' or 'unfiltered' on the bottle, which indicate no fining agents were used. Additionally, you can consult online resources like Barnivore.com, which provides a large database of vegan and non-vegan wines.

Question: Are all organic wines also vegan? Answer: No, an organic certification does not automatically guarantee a wine is vegan. While organic practices often align with ethical production, some organic wineries may still use animal-based fining agents. Always check for specific vegan certification or look for 'unfined' status.

Question: What fining agents are used in vegan wine? Answer: Vegan winemakers use alternatives such as bentonite clay, activated charcoal, or vegetable-based proteins. Many also choose to leave their wines unfined and unfiltered, relying on natural sedimentation for clarity.

Question: Is it possible for a wine label to be misleading regarding its vegan status? Answer: Yes, because there is a lack of mandatory labeling requirements in many places, wineries are not required to list fining agents on the bottle. This is why looking for a specific vegan certification or checking reliable databases is the safest approach.

Question: Where can I find a directory of vegan wines? Answer: A trusted and extensive resource is Barnivore.com, which compiles data on vegan alcohol, including wine, from around the world.

Question: Do vegan wines cost more? Answer: No, vegan wines are not inherently more expensive to produce. The price range is similar to that of non-vegan wines, depending on factors like brand, origin, and quality.

Question: Can tiny traces of animal products from fining remain in the wine? Answer: Yes, although the fining agents are filtered out, minuscule traces may be absorbed into the wine during the clarification process, which is why the wine is not considered vegan.

Question: Are all red wines non-vegan? Answer: No, many red wines are vegan. While egg whites and gelatin are traditionally used for clarifying red wines, many winemakers now use vegan alternatives or produce unfined reds. It's important to check individual brands.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wine is not always vegan because of the fining process used to clarify it. Winemakers often add animal-derived products like isinglass (fish bladder), gelatin, casein (milk protein), or egg whites to remove particles and cloudiness, making the final product non-vegan.

Popular vegan wine brands include Frey Vineyards, Avaline, The Vegan Vine, Proudly Vegan, and many offerings from brands like Bonterra and Red Truck. Online resources can confirm the vegan status of specific products from these wineries.

No, the fining process does not significantly impact the taste of the wine. Vegan alternatives or unfined production methods result in wine that tastes virtually identical to traditionally fined wine.

Look for terms like 'unfined' or 'unfiltered' on the bottle, which indicate no fining agents were used. Additionally, you can consult online resources like Barnivore.com, which provides a large database of vegan and non-vegan wines.

No, an organic certification does not automatically guarantee a wine is vegan. While organic practices often align with ethical production, some organic wineries may still use animal-based fining agents. Always check for specific vegan certification or look for 'unfined' status.

Vegan winemakers use alternatives such as bentonite clay, activated charcoal, or vegetable-based proteins. Many also choose to leave their wines unfined and unfiltered, relying on natural sedimentation for clarity.

Yes, because there is a lack of mandatory labeling requirements in many places, wineries are not required to list fining agents on the bottle. This is why looking for a specific vegan certification or checking reliable databases is the safest approach.

No, the vegan status of a wine is determined by the production process, not the grape varietal. Any type of grape can be used to make either a vegan or non-vegan wine.

Producing unfined or vegan-fined wines may not necessarily take longer. Some natural sedimentation processes may take more time, but modern vegan fining agents can be as efficient as traditional ones.

While many natural wines are vegan because they are minimally processed, including being unfined and unfiltered, it is not a guarantee. Some natural wine producers might still use non-vegan fining agents. Checking for a specific vegan certification is the best way to be sure.