Winemaking
All of our estate-grown, certified organic grapes are picked at the peak of flavor. They are delivered to our winemaking team who then follow strict CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers) guidelines throughout the winemaking process. In order for our Barra and Girasole wines to be labeled “Made With Organic Grapes”, both the vineyards and the winery that processes the fruit must be certified by a third party on an annual basis.
Additionally, when wine is crafted using the “organically grown grapes” designation on the label, the regulations require that the wines must not exceed 100 ppm (parts per million) of sulfites, measured prior to bottling (Note: for comparison purposes, the FDA allows up to 350 ppm in conventional wines). Sulfites are an approved preservative that keeps the wine from oxidizing, which can cause the wine to change flavors or color. After bottling, our wines typically test out at a total sulfite level of between 45-65 ppm.
We also adhere to vegan-friendly guidelines when making all Girasole Vineyards wines. This means that no animal products, such as egg whites or isinglass are used in the winemaking process. Special organically-approved yeasts are used to promote the fermentation of the grapes into wine. Many Barra wines also meet the vegan-friendly guidelines. Just look for the VF symbol next to each wine in our store and click here to learn what makes a wine vegan-friendly.