What is Organic Wine?
The organic farming of grapes is increasingly common, even when growers do not choose to go through a certification process, as there is a general understanding that organically grown grapes translate into better wine. Simply put, fewer chemical inputs in the vineyard results in better biodiversity, better soil health, and better grapes. All of this = better wine.
There is plenty of “conventional” wine which is made from - broadly - organically farmed grapes, although in years with poor weather these producers reserve the right to use, for example, fungicides, to protect their crops. Once in the winery, organically farmed grapes can be manipulated in all sorts of ways with all sorts of processes and all sorts of chemicals, so organically farmed grapes do not necessarily translate into low-intervention or natural wine. Wines made from organically grown grapes, if not treated carefully in the cellar by skilled and passionate winemakers, can make wines every bit as dull as those made from conventionally farmed grapes!
Organic farming is though something we look for in our growers, and even those we work with who are not certified usually exceed the standard required for certification ( certification is a lengthy and costly process and it does not suit everyone ). If you start with good quality, organically farmed grapes this will provide you with a springboard to create exciting wines in the winery.