Organic, Biodynamic, Natural, and Regenerative Wine: What Do These Terms Really Mean?

Walk through any wine shop and you’ll see words like organic, biodynamic, natural, and regenerative. They’re often grouped together and sometimes used interchangeably, but they don’t mean the same thing.

At Pogo’s, we spend a lot of time thinking about farming. Wine is an agricultural product, and the way grapes are grown directly impacts soil health, biodiversity, and the long-term vitality of the land. It also affects how a wine tastes, ages, and expresses place.

Here’s what those terms actually mean, and what matters most.

Organic Wine: A Defined Standard

When a wine is labeled organic, it refers to how the grapes were farmed.

Organic viticulture avoids synthetic herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers. Growers rely instead on compost, cover crops, and approved treatments like sulfur and copper to manage disease and maintain vineyard health.

It’s also important to know that certification and practice are not always the same thing. Many wineries farm organically but choose not to pursue official certification. The reasons vary from cost, paperwork, or philosophical preference — but the farming itself may still follow organic principles.

In the U.S., “organic wine” also regulates sulfites in the finished wine. In Europe, you’ll more commonly see “made with organic grapes,” meaning the farming is certified organic but sulfites may still be added in small amounts.

Organic farming focuses on long-term soil health and vineyard sustainability — and when done thoughtfully, it often leads to clearer expression of site in the glass.

Biodynamic Wine: Farming as a Living System

Biodynamic farming goes beyond organic.

Developed from the teachings of Rudolf Steiner in the 1920s, biodynamics treats the vineyard as a self-contained ecosystem. Farmers use compost preparations, herbal teas, lunar calendars, and biodiversity to strengthen vine health naturally.

It can sound mystical at first glance, but in practice, biodynamic vineyards are often some of the most vibrant and alive. The focus is on soil vitality, biodiversity, and minimal intervention.

Some of the world’s most respected producers farm biodynamically — not for marketing, but because it produces healthier vineyards.

If a wine is biodynamic, it's also organic...but if a wine is organic, that doesn't mean it's  biodynamic. 

Natural Wine: A Loosely Defined Category

Unlike organic or biodynamic, “natural wine” is not a legally regulated term.

Generally, natural wines are:

• Farmed organically or biodynamically

• Fermented with native yeasts

• Made with minimal additives

• Bottled with little to no filtration

• Often low in added sulfites

However, because there is no formal certification, the term can mean different things depending on the producer.

At its best, natural wine reflects a low-intervention philosophy. At its worst, it’s simply a buzzword. The farming behind the wine matters far more than the label itself.

Regenerative Farming: The Next Evolution

Regenerative agriculture is gaining momentum in the wine world.

While organic farming focuses on eliminating synthetic inputs, regenerative farming emphasizes rebuilding soil health, increasing biodiversity, capturing carbon, and improving the ecosystem long-term.

Practices may include:

• Permanent cover crops

• No-till or low-till farming

• Compost integration

• Livestock grazing in vineyards

Regenerative farming is less about certification and more about measurable soil improvement. For many producers, it represents the future of responsible viticulture.

So Which Is Better?

There isn’t a single “best” category.

A wine labeled organic isn’t automatically better than one that isn’t certified. Some small producers farm responsibly but avoid the cost of certification. Others follow biodynamic principles without official recognition.

What matters most is intention and farming integrity.

At Pogo’s, we look for producers who:

• Prioritize soil health

• Farm thoughtfully and sustainably

• Respect their vineyard sites

• Avoid shortcuts

When farming is done well, the results show in the glass — clarity, balance, and a stronger sense of place.