Natural wines that will spark conversation at your dinner party
Natural wine has gone from being a niche curiosity to the toast of stylish dinner parties and hip wine bars. It is the bottle your well-traveled friend insists on opening first—the one with the playful label that catches your eye on an artfully lit shelf and a pour that feels somewhat alive. It’s bright, a little unpredictable, and always memorable.
But what exactly makes a wine “natural,” and why is everyone talking about it?
What makes wine “natural”
Natural wine is essentially winemaking stripped back to its purest form. No lab-made yeast, no chemical tweaks, no intense filtering—just grapes grown organically or biodynamically, picked by hand, and left to ferment with the wild yeast that naturally lives on their skins. It’s less about controlling every step and more about letting the grapes speak for themselves, quirks and all.
Because of that, every year’s wine tastes a little different. One vintage might feel bright and breezy, like a seaside afternoon; the next could lean richer and moodier, like a walk through the woods after rain. And while regular wines are often filtered until they’re crystal clear, natural wines sometimes have a soft haze in the glass—a sign they’ve been left just as nature intended.
Think of it as the difference between a perfectly staged portrait and a candid photo that captures someone mid-laugh. Conventional wines aim for polish and consistency. Natural wines keep things real, which means you might get unexpected flavors—a chardonnay with a hint of cider, a rosé that’s cloudier than expected, or a pét-nat (naturally sparkling wine) with a spontaneous pop that makes opening it feel like part of the fun.
Why people love it (besides the labels)
One of the biggest draws is the connection to the land and the people making it. Natural wine producers tend to be small-scale, working in harmony with nature and refusing to douse their vines in synthetic chemicals. There’s a romance to that—almost like knowing the farmer who grew your heirloom tomatoes.
Some drinkers also claim they feel “better” the next day compared to drinking conventional wine, thanks to lower sulfite levels and fewer additives. Science is still catching up to confirm that, but hey, if believing it helps you say yes to another glass, who are we to argue?
Bottles to try
If you’re curious to see what the fuss over natural wine is about, the best way is to pour yourself a glass (or two or three). These bottles each show a different side of the style—from bright and playful to bold and contemplative. They’re not here to mimic the usual supermarket wine shelf; they’re here to surprise you, charm you, and maybe even challenge your palate in the best way.
Gut Oggau
With its hand-drawn label portraits and cult-like following, Gut Oggau is as much a conversation starter as it is a wine. Each bottle represents a “family member” with its own personality, and this approach is mirrored in the glass. Expect a wine that’s expressive and layered, often unfolding in unexpected ways with each sip.
Available at (Super)natural Wines
Le Mazel Cuvée Larmande 2018
This playful yet elegant vintage shows a little more edge than your typical Bordeaux. Its character leans toward the quirky side, with ripe berries, subtle spice, and a touch of earthiness that keeps you intrigued from start to finish.
Available at (Super)natural Wines
Delinquente Pretty Boy rosé
A rosé with personality, this bottle brings crisp strawberry and watermelon notes, but skips the candy sweetness for something fresher and more refined. It is the kind of wine you would happily drink all afternoon without realizing how quickly the bottle is disappearing.
Available at JC Wines
Delinquente Roxanne the Razor
Bold in both name and flavor, Roxanne delivers juicy red fruit with a bit of spice and a sharp, clean finish that lives up to her razor moniker. She is not here to blend in. She is here to make an entrance.
Available at JC Wines
Lammidia Frekt 2020
Like a coastal summer evening in a glass, it bursts with the flavor of sun-ripened oranges, laced with a sprinkle of sea salt and a drizzle of wildflower honey. Each sip feels like it carries the memory of a summer day at the coast.
Available at Bombvinos
No Es Pituko Viognier
A full-flavored yet unpretentious white that lives up to its name (“pituko” being Chilean slang for “posh”). It bursts with ripe peach, juicy apricot, and fragrant honeysuckle, rounded out by a hint of almond and a gentle, savory herbal lift. It’s the kind of wine that pairs just as easily with grilled seafood as it does with an afternoon of doing absolutely nothing.
Available at Bombvinos
