Organic Grapes

If an American wine label specifies the wine was "Made with Organic Grapes," it means all the grapes used to produce that wine were Certified Organic, grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers. Any additional agricultural ingredients (including added yeast) used in the winemaking process may not have been organic, however, they must be considered non-harmful to the environment. 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. 

Unlike in a wine “Made with Organic Grapes,” all grapes and all other agricultural ingredients used to make an “Organic Wine” must be Certified Organic, grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers. And while any non-agricultural ingredients listed on the USDA National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances are allowed, they mustn’t exceed 5% of the total product. Another key difference is that no sulfites are allowed to be added to the wine.

Purchasing a wine “Made with Organic Grapes” 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.

The USDA's National Organic Program (NOP) regulates organic certifications in the US, and the grapes and resulting wine undergo rigorous checks throughout their production and lifestyle. The NOP updates policies regularly to ensure winemakers adhere to strict guidelines around the growing, handling and processing of organic grapes, and to guarantee the label is meaningful.