We’re often asked if we have any organic wines. It’s a seemingly simple question, but the answer is unfortunately not as straightforward. Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions:

I get “wine headaches” so I want an organic wine so I can avoid sulfites. Right?

You’re likely barking up the wrong vine. Not only do wines made with organic grapes contain sulfites, as they are a natural byproduct of the winemaking process, but sulfites are rarely the culprit for wine-induced headaches. There is a litany of foods - orange juice, dried fruit, bacon, eggs, jams and potato chips, to name a few - that contain more sulfites than are in an average glass of wine. So if you enjoy any of these, your body is probably just fine with the relatively small measure of sulfites found in a glass or two of wine. Furthermore, red wine typically has fewer sulfites than white – debunking the sulfite-induced red wine headache theory.

I want to avoid chemicals and be friendly to the earth.

            Many of the wines we sell here at Seaboard are made by producers with the best interest of their environment, land and vines in mind. However, due to the time commitment and expense of becoming certified as an organic producer, very few of them undertake the process. Since it isn’t always obvious by looking at the label, we’ve gone through the store and tagged over 100 wines (and growing) that are made with organic, biodynamic and/or sustainable practices. You’ll find these wines throughout the store, designated with our ‘Earth Friendly’ logo.

As for the chemicals, it’s important to remember that, unlike with most other crops, quality-minded grape growers seek to minimize yields in their pursuit of exceptional quality. This makes many synthetic chemicals unnecessary.  Furthermore, estates are tied to their vineyard sites for decades or even centuries, therefore these growers want to protect their valuable land and treat it as well as possible.

What distinguishes organically-grown grapes?

            Organic grapes are those grown in a certified organic manner without chemical pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. 

What is sustainable farming?

            Sustainable agriculture integrates crops, livestock, and community to produce wine in a healthy, long-term manner without the use of chemicals.

What is biodynamic farming?

            Literally “life-movement,” an extension of organic farming that applies the thoughtful respect between land, sun, and solar system.

 

 

We currently have over 100 wines in stock produced with organically grown grapes or biodynamic and sustainable farming methods, with more being identified each week. Look for this "Earth Friendly" logo throughout the store.