Most wine enthusiasts don’t realize their favorite bottles may not be vegan. Traditional wine production often uses animal-derived fining agents like isinglass (fish bladders), casein (milk protein), gelatin, and egg albumen to remove unwanted particles and clarify the wine.
Fortunately, many winemakers now use vegan alternatives like bentonite clay, activated charcoal, and limestone. These achieve the same clarifying effect without animal products.
To find vegan wines:
- Look for “unfined” or “unfiltered” on the label
- Check for “vegan-friendly” certification
- Research producers who exclusively use vegan fining agents
- Use apps like Barnivore to verify vegan status
Notable vegan wine producers include Layer Cake, Yellow Tail (most varieties), and Frey Vineyards. Many natural wines are also vegan by default, as they skip the fining process entirely.
Remember: Just because a wine contains no animal ingredients doesn’t mean it’s automatically labeled as vegan. When in doubt, contact the producer directly or consult vegan wine directories.
Vegan wines are made without animal-derived fining agents traditionally used to remove particles and clarify wine. Common non-vegan fining agents include:
- Isinglass (from fish bladders)
- Gelatin (from animal bones)
- Casein (from milk)
- Albumin (from egg whites)
Vegan alternatives use:
- Bentonite clay
- Activated charcoal
- Plant proteins like pea protein
- Carbon
- Cross-flow filtration (no fining agents)
Many wines are naturally vegan but aren’t labeled as such. Look for “unfined” wines or check producer websites. Popular vegan wine brands include Frey Vineyards, China Bend, and Lumos Wine Co.
Not all organic wines are vegan, and not all vegan wines are organic. Check specific fining processes to confirm vegan status.