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Korbel Organic Brut ($14.99)
Korbel has been producing reasonably priced sparklers for 130 years and their organic sparkling wine is a great opportunity to be eco and wallet conscious. Comprising French Colombard, Sangiovese and Chardonnay grapes from organically certified vineyards, it's a medium-dry wine that is bright and crisp with light flavors of Granny Smith apple, Asian pear and white peaches. Don't forget to recycle all the corks you pop! (Photo courtesy of Korbel Champagne Cellars)
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Domaine Carneros 2012 Estate Brut Cuvée ($35)
In 2008, Domaine Carneros became the first sparkling wine producer to be certified organic in the US. Their Estate Brut is produced from 100% organic Chardonnay (58%) and Pinot Noir (42%) grapes. The nose is floral and lush, with notes of lychee and pear, with a creamy finish that will please even the snobbiest of Champagne lovers. Buy a bottle to drink now and one to cellar for up to 8 years. (Photo by Mark Aronoff)
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Volker Eisele Family Estate 2014 Gemini ($28)
Volker Eisele has been organically farming wines in Napa Valley since 1974. This wine is unique due to the fact that it uses Sémillon, a grape primarily used in blending, as it's dominant varietal (76% Sémillon and 24% Sauvignon Blanc). Fermented in 100% stainless steel, this wine has a lovely nose of Meyer lemon, Clementine, and river rock and a taste of citrus peel and papaya, balanced with a great minerality that will please Sauvignon Blanc/Sancerre drinkers. (Photo courtesy of Volker Eisele Family Estate)
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Horse & Plow 2015 Pinot Gris ($22)
The next generation of natural wine producers, Sebastopol's Horse & Plow prides themselves on creating small production organic and/or biodynamic wines that are vegan and low in sulfites. Their 100% Pinot Gris uses organic grapes from Yountville in Napa Valley and makes for a great patio pounder, making it perfect for Sauvignon Blanc fans. this wine has zesty citrus, jasmine and wet stones notes combined with a lovely acidity. (In this photo: Horse and Plow winery owners and cidermakers Chris Condos and Suzanne Hagins with their son Dean Condos and family dog Pepita, at Horse and Plow winery in Sebastopol. Photo by Alvin Jornada)
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2014 DeLoach Estate Chardonnay ($50)
DeLoach Vineyards estate vineyards and gardens became certified biodynamic in 2010 and today they produce estate wines that consistently score 90+ in Wine Spectator. After 14 months in French oak, this wine has a nose of honeysuckle, Fuji apple, and pie crust, followed by a rich, hefty mouthfeel. The taste is supple with flavors of Asian pear, nutmeg and honey. Drink now or age for five more years for a real treat. (Photo courtesy of Boisset Collection)
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Small Vines Wines 2016 Russian River Rosé of Pinot Noir ($29)
With a goal of creating "Grand Cru" wines, the Sloan family has been producing small lot, handcrafted wines in the tradition of Burgundy since 2007 as Small Vines Wines. Small Vines' much anticipated Rosé of Pinot Noir is made with grapes from four organically farmed vineyards. After 8 hours of cold soaking with skin contact, this wine has a stunning watermelon color and a taste of bright cherry, strawberry and a lovely acid. Rosé all day, indeed! (In this photo: The Sloan family, owners of Small Vines Wines. Photo courtesy of Small Vines Wines)
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Coturri Winery 2016 Young Carignan ($25)
The Coturri family's name is synonymous with organic and natural wine practices in Sonoma County. The winery creates small production, estate wines that use indigenous yeast and neutral oak, and are not filtered. It's a hands-off process that allows the wine to showcase its true self without additions or manipulation. A great wine to explore "natural" wine is Coturri's Carignan. It's a light, approachable red wine for fans of Beaujolais, with a nose of fresh cut flowers and a mouth of delicate cherry with a touch of earthiness. Chill it on ice and toast to being au natural. (Photo courtesy of Yelp)
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Spottswoode 2014 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ($190)
For at true splurge, Spottswoode's Estate Cab must be on any earth-friendly wine drinker's bucket list. In 1992, Spottswoode became one of two wineries in Napa Valley to be certified organic and this year they have been awarded the Green Medal Environment Award as part of the Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards. This age-worthy Cab is a perfect blend of ripe red and blue fruit, with a touch of chocolate and butterscotch. It's clean, fresh and has a silky texture. Age for 10+ years.(Photo by Robb McDonough)
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Benziger Family Winery 2013 Tribute Estate Blend ($85)
The first biodynamic wine from Sonoma County, Benziger Family Winery's Tribute is a Bordeaux blend that consistently impresses critics. Made entirely from estate-grown grapes, it's a rich, big wine, filled with what you expect from a Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend: rich plummy nose with dark fruit and tobacco and a palate where the dark fruit continues over and dots the tongue with baking spices, coffee and vanilla. Age for 10+ years for a real treat. (Photo courtesy of Benziger Family Winery)
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Frey Vineyards 2015 Organic Chardonnay ($15)
You can't have a list of earth-friendly wines without including Frey Vineyards, the first organic and biodynamic winery in the country. Based in Mendocino, they've been producing high quality wines, with a perfect price point, since 1980. Their organic, stainless steel fermented Chardonnay makes for a great house wine that will convert those who claim to not be fans of Chardonnay. It has a clean palate with hints of citrus blossom, Asian pear, and a touch of acid. (Photo courtesy of Frey Vineyards)
