Biodynamic Wine: A More Holistic Approach to Viticulture — Plus, 6 Bottles We Recommend

Love a bit of vino in the evening or a few glasses enjoyed with friends? You don't have to be a wine aficionado to appreciate good wine , but it helps to understand more about what you're drinking if only to be more intentional when shopping for or ordering your favorite. It's also smart to have a general idea of how your wine is made.

Winemaking is a craft . A lot of heart and soul typically goes into each sip you take. Some vineyards are elevating the age-old art even further, producing a new a whole new category: biodynamic wine.

The 6 Best Biodynamic Wines

What Is Biodynamic Wine?

Biodynamic wine is any type of wine made using biodynamic farming practices , which take a more holistic, sustainable approach to growing and processing grapes. This typically means pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, and other chemicals are totally absent . But it also means that the vineyard itself is treated as a self-sustaining ecosystem, with the soil, plants, animals, and even the human parts of a unified whole. Biodynamic farmers will use natural compost and animal manure , and they'll abide by a biodynamic calendar that follows the phases of the moon and other astrological prompts.

Fans of biodynamic wine feel that wine made with this kind of focus tastes better too: smoother, fresher, more complex, and with a cleaner finish. We found six biodynamic wines that are the real deal: certified, natural, and made with love by their winemakers. Give them a swirl and see if your palate agrees.

White Biodynamic Wines

King Estate Willamette Valley Pinot Gris 2021 (Oregon)

Imagine a stroll through a peach and pear orchard on a crisp autumn morning. Now bottle up that sensory experience, and you've got this 2021 King Estate Willamette Valley Pinot Gris , a biodynamic wine made at a sustainably farmed 1033-acre certified organic vineyard complex and winery. The grapes are, of course, grown right on the estate, which also hosts organic orchards and vegetable gardens.

Notes: Ripe pear, lime zest, peach, honeysuckle, lemon blossom, jasmine, damp slate.

Alphonse Mellot: La Moussiere 2022 (France)

Straight from the iconic terroirs of the Loire Valley is this certified biodynamic Sancerre , with its bouquet of fresh citrus, white flowers, and a hint of minerality. This crisp, vibrant, floral, and fruity white is the epitome of French perfection, made in Domaine la Moussière, and is a single thirty-hectare vineyard without synthetic herbicides, pesticides, or mechanical harvesting.

Notes: Crushed lime, nectarine, lemon, grapefruit, gooseberry, white flowers.

Cuvée d'Automne Arbois Blanc NV

Hailing from the Jura region of France, near the Swiss border, this biodynamic wine is a masterpiece of traditional winemaking with a twist. It's made using a blend of Savagnin grapes, which age under a veil of flor or flavor-enhancing yeast. Then, they spend time in barrels, soaking up the essence of their oak and developing a complexity that comes through as fruity, nutty, and spicy.

Notes: Citrus fruits, tropical fruits, white flowers, nuts.

Red Biodynamic Wines

Frey Biodynamic Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 (California)

Frey Biodynamic Cabernet Sauvignon takes your taste buds on a ride through the heart of Mendocino County’s sun-kissed vineyards. This isn't just a bottle of wine — it's a full-on love letter to Mother Nature, crafted with the utmost respect for the earth and the art of winemaking. This biodynamic vineyard is proud to make wine without sulfites, a known allergen present in a lot of organic wines.

Notes: Violet, allspice, huckleberry, underbrush.

Bonterra The Butler Biodynamic Single Vineyard Red 2019 (California)

Hailing from Mendocino County, this biodynamic beauty, an organic red blend , is a testament to Bonterra’s commitment to sustainable and holistic viticulture. It's a medium-bodied bouquet of ripe blackberries and blueberries that benefits from up to a decade in the cellar before touching your lips. Bonterra vineyards are certified climate-neutral and zero-waste.

Notes: black currant, plums, black pepper, and mushrooms.

Chateau Pontet-Canet 2023 (France)

The 2023 Château Pontet-Canet is a powerhouse biodynamic wine produced in legendary Bordeaux, blending tradition with innovation. It's crafted with an artisan's touch and a deep respect for the terroir. In addition to being chemical-free and holistic, the vineyard uses horses instead of heavy machinery for plowing between the rows of vines to reduce soil compaction.

Notes: Blackcurrant, dark cherry, plum, spice, cedar, tobacco, truffle.