# Organic, Biodynamic, Sustainable and Natural Wine: What the Labels Mean Author: Andrew L. | Published: 2026-09-19 | Last updated: 2026-09-19 | HarvestLink Canonical URL: https://bulkwinegrapes.com/blog/organic-biodynamic-sustainable-wine-labels > **Quick answer:** Organic, biodynamic, and regenerative organic are certified standards with third-party audits. Sustainable ranges from certified programs to self-declared claims, and natural has no legal definition in the United States. When buying grapes or bulk wine, ask for the certification documents instead of relying on a label. ## Why do these labels confuse people? The words sound alike, but they mean different things. Some are backed by a certifier who audits the farm. Some are programs with their own rules. One, "natural," has no legal definition at all. If you buy grapes or bulk wine, the difference matters because you may want to make label claims, or your customers may expect them. ## Quick comparison | Label | Certified? | What it covers | What to ask the seller | |---|---|---|---| | **Organic** | Yes (USDA National Organic Program) | Farming without most synthetic pesticides and fertilizers; wine has its own rules | Certificate, certifier, scope, expiry | | **Made with organic grapes** | Yes | Organic grapes; winemaking allows some added sulfites | Whether the grapes and the wine are covered | | **Biodynamic** | Yes (Demeter) | Organic practices plus biodynamic standards | Demeter certificate and the vineyard covered | | **Regenerative organic** | Yes (Regenerative Organic Certified) | Builds on organic and adds soil health, animal welfare, and worker fairness | Certificate and which pillars were audited | | **Sustainable** | Varies | Programs such as SIP Certified, Lodi Rules, and Napa Green, or self-declared | Which program, and is there a certificate | | **Natural** | No | No legal definition | What exactly they mean | ## What does organic wine mean? The USDA National Organic Program has two main categories for wine: - **Organic wine** is made from organic grapes with no added sulfites. It can carry the USDA organic seal. - **Made with organic grapes** is made from organic grapes and can have added sulfites, up to 100 parts per million. It cannot use the USDA organic seal. Organic certification covers both the farming and the winemaking, so a wine is not organic just because the grapes were. For sulfite basics, read [sulfites in wine](/blog/sulfites-in-wine). ## What does biodynamic mean? Biodynamic farming treats the farm as a whole system and uses specific preparations and practices. In the United States, the main certification is **Demeter**. Demeter certification builds on organic practices and adds requirements that are specific to biodynamic farming. Like organic, certification is verified by a third party. You may see "Demeter Certified Biodynamic" or "made with biodynamic grapes" depending on what is covered. ## What does regenerative organic mean? **Regenerative Organic Certified** is a newer standard that requires organic certification as a base and adds requirements around soil health, animal welfare, and social fairness. It is audited by a third party, like the other certifications. ## What does sustainable mean? It depends entirely on who says it. Some programs are audited and have detailed standards, such as **SIP Certified**, **Lodi Rules**, and **Napa Green** in California. Others are internal claims. If a seller says "sustainable," ask which program, and whether there is a certificate. ## What does natural wine mean? There is no legal definition in the United States. People generally use it for wine made with minimal intervention, such as native yeast and low or no added sulfites, but there is no shared rule. Ask the seller to describe exactly what they do. ## Are these claims verified on HarvestLink? HarvestLink bulk wine listings can select organic, biodynamic, natural, sustainable, regenerative organic, and Demeter certified biodynamic. Grape listings can select conventional, sustainable, organic, or biodynamic. These are **declared by the seller** and HarvestLink does not verify them. Ask for documentation before you rely on a label. This article describes farming and labeling, not health. Organic or biodynamic status does not make a wine better for you or worse for you. ## Buyer checklist 1. Which claim exactly, and is it certified? 2. Who is the certifying body? 3. What is the scope (vineyard, winery, both)? 4. What is the certificate's expiry date? 5. Does it cover the specific lot and vintage you are buying? 6. Can they provide traceability from vineyard to tank? ## Find lots by farming practice Filter [wine grapes](/grapes) and [bulk wine](/bulk-wine) by farming practice, and set a [saved search](/alerts) to be emailed when new organic or biodynamic lots are listed. For how terroir and farming fit together, read [what terroir is](/blog/what-is-terroir). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is organic wine sulfite-free? No. Under USDA rules, wine labeled organic cannot have added sulfites, though naturally occurring sulfites remain. Wine labeled made with organic grapes can have added sulfites up to 100 parts per million. See the sulfites guide. ### Is biodynamic the same as organic? No. Biodynamic is a separate farming approach with its own standard. Demeter certification, the main biodynamic certification, builds on organic practices and adds biodynamic requirements. ### Is natural wine regulated? In the United States there is no legal definition of natural wine. People use the word to mean minimal intervention, but the specifics differ, so ask the seller what they mean. ### How can I check a certification? Ask for the certificate, the certifying body's name, the scope, and the expiry date, and check that the lot you are buying is covered. Certifiers publish directories you can use to confirm. ## Sources - [USDA: Organic 101, Organic wine](https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/blog/organic-101-organic-wine) (accessed 2026-09-19) - [TTB: Declaration of sulfites](https://www.ttb.gov/regulated-commodities/beverage-alcohol/wine/labeling-wine/wine-labeling-declaration-of-sulfites) (accessed 2026-09-19) - [Demeter USA](https://demeter-usa.org/) (accessed 2026-09-19)