As part of an informal survey, F.E.P. contacted wine makers who were promoting themselves as practitioners of fair trade with ethical work standards to inquire if their wines were also vegan. These companies were listed on websites sponsored by "Worthwhile Wine" and "United Farm Workers."
It may come as a surprise to many that part of the wine making process often involves the use of animal products. At the end of the process wine is sometimes clarified using a variety of filtering mechanisms. Gelatins (made from bones of animals), isinglass (made from fish bladders) and egg albumin are some of the most common filters in use today. In the words of one of the largest distributors of wine in the United States:
Our winemakers tell us that gelatin and proteins from animal or fish products and milk or eggs have been used in winemaking for centuries and are recognized as traditional methods for wine fining, or clarifying. Generally, none of these products remain in the wine because they are removed by filtration prior to bottling. A few of our premium wines that undergo minimal or no filtration prior to bottling are exceptions and therefore may not be completely free of animal products.
However, there are winemakers who have found plant derivative substitutes. Others say that increasing the time the wine ages in the barrel eliminates the need for any filtration.
In addition to being vegan, we are also concerned with the treatment of those who work in the vineyards. F.E.P. is pleased to find companies that not only offer vegan wines but also hold a high standard for the workers.
We are happy to provide an initial list of vegan wine offerings out of those surveyed. This list is a snapshot in time as the requirements to produce each wine will vary according to the winemaker's discretion.
The companies listed with an asterisk were clear that the use of animal products is not part of their wine-making philosophy.
Dewaal Young Vines Shiraz 2009
Dewaal Signal Rock Red Blend 2007
Dewaal Top of the Hill Pinotage 2004
Dewaal Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Dewaal Chenin Blanc 2009
Dewaal Viognier 2009
Dewaal Pinotage 2006
Dewaal CT De Waal Pinotage 2006
Verde En Lust Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Verde En Lust Mocholate Malbec 2009
Verde En Lust Jess Rose 2009
Verde En Lust Karien Chenin Blanc 2009
Verde En Lust Marguerite Chardonnay 2008
Verde En Lust Classic Red Blend 2005
Verde En Lust Simond 2005
Verde En Lust Viognier 2009
2006 Northstar Merlot , Walla Walla
2006 Northstar Merlot , Columbia Valley
2007 Northstar Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley
2007 Northstar Petit Verdot, Columbia Valley
2007 Northstar Syrah, Walla Walla Valley
2007 Northstar Stella Maris, Columbia Valley
2008 Northstar Stella Blanca, Columbia Valley
It may come as a surprise to many that part of the wine making process often involves the use of animal products. At the end of the process wine is sometimes clarified using a variety of filtering mechanisms. Gelatins (made from bones of animals), isinglass (made from fish bladders) and egg albumin are some of the most common filters in use today. In the words of one of the largest distributors of wine in the United States:
In addition to being vegan, we are also concerned with the treatment of those who work in the vineyards. F.E.P. is pleased to find companies that not only offer vegan wines but also hold a high standard for the workers.