Organic wine in Australia: labels, sulphites and what to look for
Organic wine is one of the fastest-growing corners of the bottle shop, and the labels can be confusing. "Organic", "made from organic grapes", "biodynamic", "natural", "preservative-free" and "vegan" all mean different things. This guide explains what each term means in Australia and how to check a claim.
It's about labels and production rules. We make no claims about organic wine and health. Organic wine is still alcohol, and Australian alcohol guidelines apply to it in the same way. Please drink responsibly, and only if you're 18 or over.
What makes a wine certified organic?
A certified organic wine has to meet organic rules at two stages.
In the vineyard. Grapes are grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides or fertilisers, on land that has completed the organic conversion period. Under the National Standard for Organic and Bio-Dynamic Produce, land can be certified "in conversion" after at least a year of organic management, and organic after at least three years.
In the winery. The standard limits which additives and processing aids winemakers can use, and how much. Fermentation, fining, filtering and bottling all have to follow the rules. The winery itself is audited as part of certification.
As with other food, a business doesn't legally need certification to call wine "organic" when it's sold in Australia. The claim must be true and provable, though. Wine exported as organic must be certified by a certifying body approved by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, under Wine Australia's export rules.
The most reliable sign is a certifier's logo and certificate number on the label, such as ACO, Demeter, OFC or SXC. You can check the number on the certifier's register. See How to check an organic certificate.
"Organic wine" vs "made from organic grapes"
These aren't always the same:
- Certified organic wine. Both the grapes and the winemaking are certified.
- "Made from organic grapes" or "made with certified organic grapes". The grapes are organic, but the winemaking may not be certified. It may use additives or amounts of sulphur dioxide that the organic standard wouldn't allow.
Neither is wrong. They're just different claims, and the label should make it clear which one applies.
Sulphites in organic wine
Sulphur dioxide (SO₂, preservative 220) is used in most winemaking to protect wine from spoiling and oxidising. Organic standards allow it, but at lower maximum levels than conventional wine.
Under Appendix I of the National Standard, as summarised in Wine Australia's organic export requirements, the maximum total sulphur dioxide in organic wine is:
| Wine type | Residual sugar | Maximum total SO₂ |
|---|---|---|
| Red | less than 2 g/L | 100 mg/L |
| Red | 2 to 5 g/L | 120 mg/L |
| Red | more than 5 g/L | 170 mg/L |
| White or rosé | less than 2 g/L | 150 mg/L |
| White or rosé | 2 to 5 g/L | 170 mg/L |
| White or rosé | more than 5 g/L | 220 mg/L |
| Quality sparkling | — | 155 mg/L |
| Other sparkling | — | 205 mg/L |
Individual certifiers or markets can set stricter limits. So "organic" doesn't mean "sulphite-free". If you need to avoid sulphites, read the label. Australian food law requires added sulphites to be declared when present at 10 mg/kg or more. That's why you'll see "contains sulphites" or "preservative (220)" on most bottles, organic or not.
Biodynamic wine
Biodynamic farming adds extra practices on top of organic ones, such as specific preparations and a planting calendar. In Australia, the Demeter mark (certified through the Bio-Dynamic Research Institute) is the best-known biodynamic certification. Some other certifiers also certify to biodynamic standards. Look for the logo and number, as with organic.
Words that aren't organic certification
"Natural wine." There's no legal definition in Australia. It usually means minimal intervention: wild ferments, little or no added sulphur, and no fining or filtering. Some natural wines are certified organic and many aren't.
"Preservative-free" or "no added sulphites." No SO₂ was added, although small amounts form naturally during fermentation. This can apply to organic or conventional wine.
"Vegan." No animal-derived fining agents, such as egg white, milk protein or gelatine, were used. Vegan is about winemaking inputs, not farming. A wine can be vegan and conventional, or organic and not vegan.
"Sustainable." Programs such as Sustainable Winegrowing Australia certify environmental practices. They're useful, but they aren't organic certification.
"Low intervention", "minimal", "clean". Marketing words with no set meaning.
Where to find organic wine in Queensland
- Bottle shops and independent retailers, many of which now have an organic or natural section. Ask the staff which wines are certified.
- Organic grocers. Some stock certified organic and low-sulphur wines.
- Cellar doors. If you visit wineries in Queensland's Granite Belt or Scenic Rim, or further south, ask at the cellar door whether the vineyard and the winery are certified, and by whom.
- Online, direct from wineries.
A quick label checklist
- Is there a certifier logo and number?
- Does it say organic wine or only made from organic grapes?
- What does the sulphite statement say?
- Is "natural", "vegan" or "sustainable" being used instead of organic certification, or as well as it?
Wine and Blueberry Bear Organics
Selling alcohol online in Queensland needs a liquor licence, and the rules for delivery and age checks are strict. Blueberry Bear Organics doesn't list wine at this stage. Any future wine listings would need licensed, certified sellers and proper age checks.
Sulphite limits from Wine Australia's organic export requirements (December 2025 edition), which refer to the National Standard. Checked 16 October 2026. General information only, not legal advice.
— the Blueberry Bear Team