A deep dive into the demand and future of organic wine in America

Globally, organic wine – and organic products as a whole – have been increasingly in demand by consumers. In some cases, leaders have heeded this call for change by adopting organic farming initiatives in their own personal practices, creating a ripple effect witnessed around the world.

What about in the United States? Global supporters of the organic movement have long had their eyes on the economic superpower, which will play a large role in the future of organic wine.

The current state of organic wine in the US can be attributed to consumer demand, the rise of organic wineries, organic wine availability in retail and restaurant spaces, and the organic certification process itself.

In this article, we will focus exclusively on the state of organic wine in America to create a comprehensive portrait of where it stands at present, the factors driving the market, and where it will go in the future. 

Key takeaways: 

• Consumer demand for organic wine in America
• Organic wineries in the US
• Where to buy organic wine
• The organic certification process in America
• Organic wine from Domaine Bousquet

Consumer demand for organic wine in America

In 2019, the organic wine market in the United States was valued at $1630.33 million. Incredibly, it is on track to approximately triple in value by 2027. 

Several factors are driving this spike in consumer demand, including an increased focus on health and ethics by consumers who show more and more excitement around buying natural products. One might assume that these trends are being driven by millennials and other young generations in America but studies have actually shown that interest in organic products spans across more generations than we might think. According to one study, 60% of millennials, 55% of Generation Z, and 46% of baby boomers are worried about harmful ingredients in their food. 

While millennials represent the highest percentage of that study, the other older generations are not far off, indicating that interest in organic products might not be exclusively a young person’s game. In any case, wine, in general, is becoming more approachable thanks to changes in packaging (cans, boxes, etc.) and an effort to make good quality organic wine affordable to most consumers. 

Globally, organic wine is forecast to reach 1 billion bottles sold a year by 2022, a far jump from the 349 million bottles that were sold annually just 10 years prior. American sales of organic wine are targeted to rise by 14% during this period. 

Organic wine has also been on display at wine festivals in America, such as RAW WINE’s fairs – two-day gatherings held in Los Angeles and New York that feature more than 150 growers offering tastes of natural, organic, and biodynamic wine. 

Organic wineries in America

In the United States, California is home to 85%of the country’s grapes. And yet, in 2017, only 2.4% of these grapes were organic. This reveals something interesting about the state of organic wine in America; while consumer demand for organic wine is growing exponentially, the production of organic wine has not kept up. 

Popular wine producers in America can be found in Mendocino County predominantly and throughout California, though there are also some excellent organic winemakers in nearby Oregon. Popular organic wineries in America include Schramsberg Winery in Napa Valley, CA, which is known for its land conservation efforts, Hahn Winery in Soledad, CA, which is Sustainability in Practice certified, Frog’s Leap in Rutherford, CA, which has been California Certified Organic since 1988, and Willamette Valley Vineyards in Turner, Oregon, which uses a collective of owners to produce an award-winning pinot noir. 

Where to buy organic wine in America

Organic wine in America can be bought at an increasing number of locations, making it more accessible than ever. Consumers can find it at grocery stores (though, due to varying liquor laws from state to state, not all grocery stores sell alcohol), liquor stores, wine bars, and specialty retailers. In recent years, direct-to-consumer wine sales have exploded, due partially to stay-at-home orders during the coronavirus pandemic, but also due to an increased desire for convenience and the American shift away from brick-and-mortar businesses. 

The organic certification process in America

The organic wine certification process in America is incredibly rigorous. Administered through the USDA, this five-step process requires documentation, oversight, inspection, and follow-up inspections. Organic wine in America must be totally free from chemicals or additives. This includes sulfites, which is a key difference in the certification process in America versus in many other countries. Due to how strict the USDA organic certification process is, consumers often see wine labeled “natural” or “made with organic grapes” in America. These wines are not certified organic but may meet some of the criteria toward a more sustainable wine practice. 

Organic wine from Domaine Bousquet

Domaine Bousquet in Mendoza, Argentina, is an organic, sustainable, vegan winery. Our wines are available in America and are priced affordably so that organic wine can be a luxury item to be enjoyed on a regular basis. See what we’re all about.