UK Vineyards Making Vegan Wine

Vegan wine refers to how the wine is clarified during production, not the grapes themselves.

What is fining?

After fermentation, some winemakers use a process called fining to remove unwanted particles and improve clarity. Fining agents bind to sediment, which is then removed before bottling.

Common non-vegan fining agents

Some traditional fining agents are animal-derived, including:

• Egg white (albumin)
• Milk protein (casein)
• Fish-derived products (isinglass)

Vegan alternatives

Many modern producers use alternatives such as:

• Bentonite (a natural clay)
• Activated charcoal
• Pea protein
• No fining at all (unfined wines)

If no animal-derived products are used at any stage, the wine can be described as vegan.

These terms are often confused, but they are not interchangeable.

• Vegan refers to production methods, specifically the absence of animal-derived fining agents.
• Organic refers to how the grapes are grown, without synthetic pesticides or fertilisers.
• Biodynamic is a specific farming philosophy with additional practices beyond organic standards.

A wine can be organic but not vegan, or vegan but not organic. They are separate considerations.

Many English and Welsh vineyards now use vegan-friendly fining methods, and some wines are unfined altogether. However, this does not automatically mean every wine in a producer’s range is vegan. Some vineyards:

• Produce entirely vegan ranges
• Offer selected vegan wines only
• Use vegan methods but do not formally certify

Policies can also vary by vintage, so it’s worth checking individual wines rather than assuming.

If you’re buying or tasting wine and want to be sure it’s vegan, you can:

• Look for certification such as the Vegan Society logo
• Check the product page on the vineyard’s website
• Ask staff directly during a tasting
• Contact the vineyard in advance if booking a tour

If a vineyard doesn’t mention vegan status at all, it’s worth asking rather than assuming either way.

When visiting vineyards in person:

• Tasting staff usually know which wines are vegan within the range
• Some vineyards highlight vegan wines clearly on menus
• Restaurant food offerings may or may not be vegan, even if the wine is

Smaller producers may not always certify formally, but may still follow vegan production methods. Clear communication is usually the simplest way to confirm.

Below you’ll find a selection of vegan friendly vineyards in the UK. Some produce fully vegan ranges, while others offer selected vegan wines. Always double-check individual bottles or vintages before travelling a long distance, as production methods can change over time.