When an American wine label says a wine is “Made with Organic Grapes,” it means all the grapes used to make the wine are Certified Organic, and were grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers. Other agricultural ingredients, including any added yeast, used in the winemaking process are not required to be organic. However, these ingredients must be considered eco-friendly (they can’t be genetically engineered, for instance) and non-harmful to the environment. Any non-agricultural ingredients used to make the wine must be on the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances, and up to 100 parts per million (ppm) of sulfites may be added to the wine.

Like wine labeled as “Made with Organic Grapes,” an “Organic Wine” must be made with 100% Certified Organic grapes grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers. But there are some key differences. Any other agricultural ingredients used to make the wine, as well as any added yeast, must also be Certified Organic, and while any non-agricultural ingredients listed the USDA National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances are allowed, they mustn’t exceed 5% of the total product. No sulfites may be added to the wine.

When you choose wine Made with Organic Grapes, your purchase supports sustainable farming practices and helps reduce the use of harmful chemicals that can damage the environment. Typically, these wines also contain fewer synthetic additives.

Organic certifications are handled by the USDA's National Organic Program (NOP), and the grapes and resulting wine undergo rigorous checks throughout their production and lifestyle. Policies are updated regularly to ensure winemakers adhere to strict guidelines around the growing, handling, and processing of organic grapes, and to make the label more meaningful for consumers.