Natural wine is deeply connected to its region and terroir, with each country and winemaking style offering something unique. Whether you’re exploring the volcanic soils of the Canary Islands, the high-altitude vineyards of Argentina, or the rolling hills of Tuscany, this guide will help you understand the key natural wine regions and the styles of wine they produce.
Europe: The Heart of Natural Winemaking France: Pioneers of the Natural Wine Movement France is home to some of the most iconic natural wine regions, where low-intervention winemaking meets centuries of tradition.
Beaujolais → Light, fruity Gamay wines (Carbonic maceration style)
Loire Valley → Crisp, mineral-driven whites (Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc) & chillable reds (Cabernet Franc, Pineau d’Aunis)
Jura → Oxidative whites & Vin Jaune (Savagnin, Chardonnay)
Alsace → Skin-contact Rieslings & aromatic whites (Gewürztraminer, Sylvaner)
Roussillon & Languedoc → Wild, sun-kissed reds & Mediterranean blends Style Highlights: Carbonic maceration, pét-nat sparkling wines, and amphora-aged whites.
Italy: A Land of Ancient Grapes & Amphora Winemaking Italy’s diverse terroirs produce an incredible range of natural wines.
Sicily & Mt. Etna → Volcanic reds & vibrant skin-contact whites (Nerello Mascalese, Carricante)
Tuscany → Elegant, structured Sangiovese & amphora-aged Trebbiano
Piedmont → Nebbiolo from natural Barolo producers & long-aged Moscato
Emilia-Romagna → Funky, rustic Lambrusco & traditional skin-contact whites
Friuli-Venezia Giulia → The birthplace of orange wine (Ribolla Gialla, Friulano) Style Highlights: Skin-contact whites, extended maceration, and dry-farmed indigenous varietals.
Spain: Bold, High-Altitude & Coastal Natural Wines Spain has seen a revival of low-intervention winemaking, with winemakers embracing forgotten grape varieties and ancient techniques.
Ribeira Sacra & Galicia → High-acid, Atlantic-influenced reds (Mencía, Brancellao)
Penedès & Catalonia → Biodynamic Cava & pét-nats (Xarel-lo, Macabeo)
Sierra de Gredos → Ethereal, high-altitude Garnacha
Canary Islands → Volcanic wines with smoky, salty minerality (Listán Negro, Malvasia)
Andalusia → Unfortified Palomino & oxidative wines Style Highlights: Volcanic terroir, natural sparkling wines (Cava & pét-nats), and zero-sulfur reds.
The New World: Natural Wine’s New Frontier United States: From California to Vermont The U.S. is embracing natural winemaking with experimental styles and innovative producers.
California (Sonoma, Mendocino, Central Coast) → Chillable reds, pét-nats, and skin-contact whites
Oregon (Willamette Valley) → Biodynamic Pinot Noir & Pinot Gris
Vermont & New York → Hybrid grapes & farm-driven natural wines (La Crescent, Marquette) Style Highlights: Low-sulfur wines, hybrid grape experimentation, and regenerative farming.
Australia: Wild Ferments & Minimal Intervention Australia’s natural wine scene thrives on creativity and climate-driven expressions.
Adelaide Hills → Skin-contact wines & funky reds (Syrah, Pinot Gris, Nero d’Avola)
McLaren Vale → Minimal-intervention Grenache & carbonic-macerated reds
Victoria & Yarra Valley → Elegant, cool-climate natural wines Style Highlights: Experimental fermentations, carbonic maceration, and unfiltered, raw expressions.
South America: High-Altitude Natural Wines Natural winemaking is growing in South America, especially among small producers.
Chile (Maule Valley, Itata) → País-based field blends & amphora-aged whites
Argentina (Mendoza, Patagonia) → High-altitude Malbecs & natural Criolla varietals
Brazil & Uruguay → Low-intervention Tannat & pét-nats Style Highlights: Old-vine varieties, low-intervention farming, and volcanic/mineral-driven wines.
Natural Wine Styles: How to Identify Them Natural wine isn’t just about where it’s from—it’s also about how it’s made. Here are some of the most common natural wine styles :
1. Skin-Contact (Orange) Wines
Made from white grapes fermented on their skins, giving them texture and tannins.
Examples: Ribolla Gialla (Italy), Rkatsiteli (Georgia), Xarel-lo (Spain)
Tasting Notes: Dried apricots, tea, nuts, honeyed texture. 2. Pétillant Naturel (Pét-Nat) Wines
Naturally sparkling wines made using the ancestral method (bottled before fermentation is complete).
Examples: Chenin Blanc (Loire), Gamay (Beaujolais), Xarel-lo (Spain)
Tasting Notes: Light bubbles, crisp acidity, funky fruit notes. 3. Carbonic Maceration Reds
Fermented in whole clusters, creating bright, fruit-forward wines.
Examples: Gamay (Beaujolais), Grenache (Spain), País (Chile)
Tasting Notes: Juicy, low tannins, bright cherry and raspberry flavors. 4. Volcanic Wines
Wines grown on volcanic soils, often high in minerality and acidity.
Examples: Listán Negro (Canary Islands), Carricante (Sicily), País (Chile)
Tasting Notes: Salty, smoky, earthy, with deep minerality. 5. Oxidative Wines
Wines aged in contact with oxygen, developing nutty and umami-rich flavors.
Examples: Vin Jaune (Jura), Palomino (Andalusia), Malvasia (Italy)
Tasting Notes: Roasted nuts, dried fruit, caramelized apple. Natural wine is an adventure through regions and styles, each bottle offering a unique expression of its environment and the winemaker’s philosophy. Whether you’re drawn to the volcanic wines of the Canary Islands, the wild pét-nats of France, or the high-altitude reds of Argentina, there’s always something new to explore.
📌 Looking for more guides? Check out our features on Best Natural Wineries Wine & Food Pairings How to Start Your Natural Wine Journey!
