“By nourishing the land and treating it with respect, we know that the land will give us back its finest fruits.” 

-Domaine Bousquet

Key takeaways:

• The importance of sustainable and organic certifications 
• Key facts to know when assessing a label’s claims
• Domaine Bousquet’s certifications
• Our commitment to integrity and transparency

When choosing a bottle of wine, a glance at the label can tell a customer all that they need to know. The symbols and letters on a wine label will tell you exactly where and how the wine was made, and by what standard it was produced. 

Still, there is some nuance to interpreting the information on the bottle. Many low-quality wines will have beautiful labels that give the impression of sustainability or health, but these claims are often nothing more than marketing. How do you recognize a truly excellent wine crafted with organic and sustainable production methods? The answer lies in its certifications.

In obtaining high-caliber sustainable and organic certifications, a winemaker demonstrates its commitment to ecologically-friendly and transparent farming and factory processes. In order to receive these certifications, companies must follow strict standards and submit to inspection by the certifying authority. Even so, it should be noted that not all certifications are created equal. It is important to know how to recognize a genuine certified organic and sustainable wine. Here is what you need to know about these wine certifications, and how to determine whether an advertised certification is legitimate. 

Key details to know about organic and sustainable certifications

Certifications in the wine world can be confusing and, in some cases, misleading. There are many different certifications, and consumers may not know the difference between one certification and another. Some unscrupulous winemakers take advantage of this ignorance by claiming certifications that they do not have. 

When looking for organic wine, be sure to look for the organic certification seal. These will usually be clearly visible on the label, and they will indicate whether a winemaker’s claims are legitimate. For example, many winemakers may claim to be organic, but without a certified organic seal from an organization like the USDA or Ecocert, there is no guarantee that this claim is verified. 

USDA Organic wines must meet the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program’s criteria for farming and production. USDA Organic certified wines cannot contain synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, added sulfites, and other chemicals at any point in the winemaking process, beginning with the growing of the grapes in the vineyard. The organic winemaking process certifies the protection of natural resources, the promotion of biodiversity, and a limit on the use of synthetic pesticides. When you buy a USDA Organic wine, you can be sure that it’s been made with 100% organically grown ingredients. 

Organic certifications in the European Union differ slightly from the USDA’S definition by allowing added sulfites.

A producer without a certified organic seal proclaiming they are organic may use organic seeds but still utilize pesticides, or farm organically, but add synthetic additives during fermentation. Just because one part of the winemaking process is organic, doesn’t mean that the entire operation is organic. That is why the governing bodies that oversee certifications are so important for ensuring honesty and integrity in the industry. 

Sustainable certifications ensure the same environmental practices as organic certifications, but with an increased focus on the winery’s place in the community. Sustainability is about protecting the environment, local economy, and farmworkers. This includes everything from ensuring soil health through biodiversity, to conserving water through recycling, to utilizing renewable solar energy. 

There are multiple sustainable certifications, such as Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing (CCSW), which ensures high-quality California-made wine, SIP Certified, in which ensuring equitable conditions for farmworkers is particularly important, and Low Input Viticulture and Enology (LIVE) Certified, which takes a region’s unique attributes into consideration. No matter the particular certification, all sustainable wineries conduct annual self-assessments and are regularly audited by a neutral third party. 

Domaine Bousquet’s certifications

We are an organic and sustainable winery. Our certifications include: 

1. Buenas Practicas Agricolas – This certification indicates membership in the BPA Network of Argentina, where our grapes are grown. The network consists of public and private entities that work together to support and create good agricultural practices throughout the nation. 
2. Buenas Practicas de Manufactura – A certification required by the Argentine Food Code (CAA) which sets the standards for food safety and processing. Producers must meet or exceed these standards to be eligible to market any food products in the nation. This ensures that all food products are made and handled safely throughout processing. 
3. Ecocert – Recognized by over 130 countries worldwide, Ecocert provides certification for organic, fair trade, and socially responsible standards in food, farming, textiles, and more. With more than 30 years of service, Ecocert is one of the world’s most recognized and trusted certification authorities. 
4. USDA Organic – The USDA Organic certification is offered by the United States Department of Agriculture. This certification is reserved exclusively for winemakers that meet organic standards in both farming and processing. USDA organic certified wines may not come from fields that utilize chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides. Additionally, no synthetic additives may be used in the process of converting the fruit into wine. 
5. Business Social Compliance Initiative – BSCI is a European initiative that utilizes a standardized rubric for businesses to follow regarding working conditions and human rights. 
6. Fair for Life – FFL is an independent third-party organization that offers certifications in Fair Trade and Responsible Supply Chains. FFL certification focuses on humane working conditions, supply chain best practices, accountability, and continuous surveillance. 
7. ISO 22000 – This is a certification in Food Safety Management offered by the International Organization for Standardization. ISO 2200 sets clear guidelines for manufacturers regarding their systems for safe food handling. 
8. Veg Argentina – A vegan certification offered by Liaf Control, which conducts testing on products to verify that there are no animal products or derivatives present.  

Certified with integrity

We are dedicated to farming organically while improving our land’s biodiversity. We believe that the healthier the vineyard, the better the fruit and, of course, the wine. We showcase this dedication by using innovative, sustainable methods such as our water shortage programme, organic agriculture, gentle handling of the vine clusters during harvest, and more. 

We are committed to nurturing our wine through organic farming and processes, as well as supporting our workers with humane, fair trade certified labor practices. We are proud to showcase our practices to the world with full transparency. Our careful attendance to these important principles is represented by our certifications, which we present with pride:

Domaine Bousquet produces 4 million liters of organic wine per year, exported to more than 50 countries. With our own import companies in the USA, Europe, and Brazil, Domaine Bousquet currently ranks in the top 20 Argentine wineries in terms of exports and is the leader in organic wine.

Visit us online to learn more about our exceptional wine varieties, schedule a tour and wine-tasting at our beautiful winery, or find more information about retailers and distributors.