What is Natural wine?


At Amor Fati, we believe wine should be alive — not manipulated.
Natural wine is not a trend. It’s a return to the way wine has been made for thousands of years, before synthetic chemicals and industrial shortcuts became common.

natural wine

In the Vineyard

Natural wine begins in the soil.

  • Grapes are grown without synthetic pesticides, or herbicides.

  • Growers work with organic or biodynamic methods, respecting the natural balance of the land.

  • Healthy soils and living ecosystems create grapes full of vitality — the foundation of natural wine.

In the Cellar

Once harvested, the grapes are transformed as simply as possible.

  • Fermented with wild yeasts that live on the grape skins and in the cellar.

  • No artificial additives, flavourings, or chemical adjustments.

  • Minimal or no filtration, so the wine retains its texture, energy, and character.

  • Sulphur (a natural preservative) is used sparingly, if at all — just enough to protect the wine during its journey. While conventional wines can contain up to 150–200 mg/L of sulphur, natural wines are typically under 30 mg/L, and many of our producers add none at all. Less sulphur means more life, energy, and expression in the glass — wine that reflects its place rather than a formula.


 

Natural vs Organic vs Biodynamic — What’s the Difference?

Many wines in big chain liquor stores carry an “organic” label — but being organic doesn’t always mean being natural.

Organic Wine (supermarket version):
Grapes are grown without synthetic chemicals (a good start), but once they reach the cellar, winemaking can still be heavily manipulated.
Additives, flavour enhancers, added yeasts, fining agents, and heavy filtration are often used.
The result is a “clean” label — yet often a wine made in an industrial, highly controlled style.

Biodynamic Wine:
Biodynamic farming goes a step further than organic. It views the vineyard as a living organism — one that responds to the natural rhythms of the earth, moon, sun, and stars. The goal is balance: healthy soils, resilient vines, and vibrant fruit.
Biodynamic growers work with nature’s cycles, using composts, cover crops, and herbal preparations to strengthen the ecosystem from within.

The most widely recognised biodynamic certification is Demeter, an international organisation that ensures vineyards and cellars meet biodynamic standards. Some Amor Fati producers are Demeter-certified, while others follow biodynamic methods without formal certification — guided by the same principles of harmony between land and life.

In the cellar, intervention varies by producer, but the intention remains harmony between land and life.

Natural Wine:
Natural winemakers use organically or biodynamically grown grapes and handle them with the lightest possible touch in the cellar.
No artificial additives, no lab yeasts, no chemical shortcuts, and minimal intervention.
Each bottle reflects the grower’s land, philosophy, and the energy of the vintage — alive, unique, and unrepeatable.

In short:

  • Organic (supermarket version) = clean farming, manipulated winemaking.

  • Biodynamic = living farming, cosmically attuned winemaking.

  • Natural = clean farming + honest winemaking — a return to the original craft.

Why Natural Wine Costs More

Natural wines often carry a higher price tag than mass-produced bottles — and here’s why:

  • Small Scale Production
    Most natural wines are made by independent growers with limited vineyard land. Many cuvées are just a few thousand bottles per year, compared to millions from industrial wineries.

  • Handcrafted Methods
    Vineyards are tended by hand, grapes are hand-harvested, and traditional methods (like wild fermentations or ageing in neutral oak/amphora) take time and care.

  • Farming with Integrity
    Organic and biodynamic farming avoids cheap shortcuts like chemical sprays and synthetic fertilisers. Instead, growers invest in soil health, cover crops, and manual labour.

  • Minimal Intervention
    With no additives or industrial “fixes,” natural winemakers can’t cut corners. The process is slower, riskier, and requires deep skill to guide the wine gently.

  • Scarcity & Uniqueness
    Each bottle reflects a single vineyard, vintage, and grower’s touch. Once it’s gone, it’s gone — unlike supermarket wines blended to taste identical year after year.

When you buy natural wine, you’re not just buying a drink. You’re supporting growers, preserving traditions, and sharing in something rare and meaningful.

 

The Philosophy

Natural wine is more than a drink — it’s a philosophy of respect.

  • Respect for the land.

  • Respect for the growers.

  • Respect for the people who share it at the table.

Each bottle reflects a moment in time, a place, and the hands that guided it. It’s unpredictable, alive, and deeply personal — just like life itself.

Why We Choose Natural

At Amor Fati, we curate wines that align with these values because we believe:

  • Wine should come from practices that nourish the land, not harm it.

  • Wine should connect us back to the land and the people who care for it.

  • Wine should be something to enjoy with peace of mind — crafted without unnecessary synthetic additives.

An Invitation

To drink natural wine is to share in something authentic — a direct line from vineyard to glass.
We invite you to explore, taste, and feel the difference for yourself.

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