Which prosecco is vegan friendly? Your guide to cruelty-free bubbly

January 1, 2026 •

4 min read

While prosecco is made from grapes, a natural plant product, many are surprised to learn that not all prosecco is vegan. The clarification process known as 'fining' often uses animal-derived products, so understanding which prosecco is vegan friendly requires looking beyond the basic ingredients.

Quick Summary

Not all prosecco is vegan due to the fining process that uses animal-based products for clarification. This article explains what to look for, details which brands are vegan-friendly, and offers advice on verifying a bottle's vegan status.

Key Points

Fining Agents are the Key: Most non-vegan proseccos use animal-derived fining agents like isinglass, casein, or gelatin to clarify the wine.
Check for Vegan Labels: The easiest way to confirm a prosecco's vegan status is to look for a certified vegan logo on the bottle.
Use Barnivore: Websites like Barnivore offer extensive databases where you can check if specific wine brands are vegan-friendly.
Many Brands are Vegan: Numerous popular brands, including Mionetto, La Gioiosa, and Freixenet, now offer confirmed vegan prosecco options.
Vegan Alternatives Exist: Winemakers can use plant-based fining alternatives like bentonite clay, pea protein, or activated charcoal.
Taste is Unaffected: The fining process, whether vegan or not, does not noticeably alter the taste of the final product.

The Surprising Truth Behind Wine Production

When it comes to beverages like prosecco, many people assume the product is automatically vegan. After all, it is simply fermented grapes. However, the secret lies in the winemaking process, specifically a step called 'fining'. Fining is a clarification process used to remove sediment, proteins, and other particles that can make the wine appear hazy or cloudy. Winemakers use fining agents that bind to these unwanted molecules, which are then filtered out before bottling.

Historically, and still commonly today, these fining agents are derived from animal products. For a wine to be truly vegan, a winemaker must either use non-animal-based fining agents or skip the fining process altogether, opting for a 'self-fining' method. The good news is that the demand for vegan-friendly options has led more producers to adopt these cruelty-free practices, making it easier than ever to find a suitable bottle.

Common non-vegan fining agents

Isinglass: A gelatin-like substance extracted from the dried swim bladders of fish.
Casein: A protein derived from milk.
Gelatin: A protein sourced from animal bones, skin, and connective tissues.
Albumin: Derived from egg whites.
Chitin: A fiber sourced from the shells of crustaceans.

Vegan-friendly fining alternatives

As the vegan market grows, so do the options for ethical winemaking. Several plant-based and mineral-based agents effectively clarify wine without any animal products.

Bentonite clay: A mineral clay that is widely used for fining white wines.
Activated charcoal: Carbon-based material effective for removing colour and off-flavours.
Pea protein: A vegan-friendly, plant-based gelatin alternative.
Silica gel: A non-animal-based clarifying agent.
Kaolin: A soft, white clay mineral used for filtration.

How to identify a vegan prosecco

Since fining agents are considered processing aids, not ingredients, they are not always listed on the label. This makes it tricky for consumers to know for sure. However, there are several reliable methods for finding a certified vegan prosecco.

Check for official certification logos: The clearest sign is a certified vegan logo on the bottle. This indicates the producer has gone through a verification process to guarantee no animal products were used.
Use online resources: Websites like Barnivore maintain a database of vegan-friendly alcohol brands. You can search for specific prosecco producers to check their vegan status. Checking a producer's official website is also a reliable method, as they often detail their fining process.
Opt for unfiltered or 'natural' wines: Some winemakers prefer to avoid the fining process entirely, allowing the wine to self-clarify. These wines may have a cloudier appearance but are naturally vegan.
Look for supermarket own-brands: Many large supermarkets offer vegan-friendly own-brand proseccos as part of their wider commitment to catering to dietary needs.

Vegan-friendly prosecco brands

Thankfully, the growing demand for vegan wine has led many brands to either confirm their products are vegan or switch to animal-free processing. Below is a list of some well-known and respected vegan prosecco brands based on information from certified sources like Barnivore and producer websites.

Mionetto Orange Label Prosecco: A widely available and certified vegan option.
La Gioiosa Prosecco DOC: A budget-friendly and accessible vegan prosecco found in many UK supermarkets.
Bottega Rose Gold Prosecco: Known for its striking packaging and certified vegan status.
Kylie Minogue Prosecco Rosé: The celebrity-endorsed line is confirmed to be vegan-friendly.
Valdo Prosecco Marca Oro: This respected Italian brand offers a confirmed vegan-friendly option.
Freixenet Prosecco DOC: This Spanish Cava producer expanded into prosecco and now uses vegan-friendly methods for all its wines.
The Emissary: A British brand specialising in low-sugar, eco-friendly, and fully vegan prosecco.
Kirkland Signature Asolo Prosecco DOCG (Costco): Costco's house brand prosecco is listed as vegan on Barnivore.
Zonin Prosecco: A well-known brand with vegan-friendly options.

Comparison of Fining Agents


Feature	Non-Vegan Fining Agents	Vegan Fining Agents
Source	Animal byproducts (e.g., milk, fish, eggs, gelatin).	Plant-based or mineral-based materials (e.g., clay, charcoal, pea protein).
Purpose	Clarify and stabilize wine by binding to unwanted particles.	Clarify and stabilize wine using cruelty-free methods.
Effect on Taste	Often removed and should have no discernible impact on flavour.	Should not affect the flavour profile of the finished wine.
Vegan Status	Not suitable for vegans due to contact with animal products, even if filtered out.	Considered vegan-friendly as no animal products are used in the process.
Labeling	Not required to be listed as an ingredient, so checking is essential.	May be indicated by a vegan certification logo, which makes identification easy.

Conclusion: Making the ethical choice

Choosing a vegan-friendly prosecco is simple with the right knowledge. While the basic ingredients are always grape-based, the use of animal products in the fining process means that not all proseccos are suitable for a vegan lifestyle. By looking for certified vegan logos, consulting reliable online databases like Barnivore, and choosing brands known for their plant-based processes, you can enjoy a glass of cruelty-free bubbly with complete confidence. As more producers respond to consumer demand, the selection of ethical and delicious sparkling wines continues to grow, making it easier than ever to make an informed and compassionate choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not all prosecco is vegan because winemakers often use animal-derived products, such as gelatin, casein (milk protein), or isinglass (fish bladder), during the clarification process called fining.

No, vegan and non-vegan prosecco do not taste different based on the fining process. The fining agents are filtered out and do not remain in the final product in significant amounts, so the flavour is unaffected.

The most reliable way is to look for a certified vegan logo on the label. If there is no logo, you can check online databases like Barnivore or consult the winery's website.

No, an organic label does not guarantee a prosecco is vegan. Organic certification pertains to agricultural practices and does not restrict the use of animal-based fining agents.

Winemakers can use several vegan alternatives for fining, including bentonite clay, activated charcoal, silica gel, pea protein, and kaolin clay.

Vegan prosecco is increasingly available in major supermarkets, online wine shops, and from specialty retailers. Many popular brands now carry vegan options.

Several brands offer vegan-friendly prosecco, including Mionetto Orange Label, La Gioiosa, Bottega Rose Gold, and Freixenet.

Yes, some producers opt not to fine their wines at all, resulting in unfiltered or 'natural' prosecco that is inherently vegan. These bottles may have a slightly cloudy appearance.