The natural wine movement has gained significant momentum in the United States over the past two decades, with more and more consumers gravitating toward wines made without additives, chemicals, or industrial processes. Unlike conventional wines that may contain ingredients like tannins, colorants, or preservatives such as velcorin, natural wines are crafted from organic grapes, embracing a back-to-basics approach that harks to an era before modern winemaking industrialization.
While overall wine consumption in the U.S. has seen a decline since 2015, according to the research firm IWSR Drinks Market Analysis, the demand for natural wines has steadily risen. In particular, the Bay Area has become a hub for this movement, with a growing number of low-intervention, sustainable wineries launching in the region.
Natural wine enthusiasts are drawn to the unique character of these wines, which often vary from batch to batch. The absence of additives makes each vintage unpredictable, adding a level of charm for those seeking wines with personality. By contrast, many winemakers use additives to ensure consistent flavor profiles across different bottlings.
One opportunity to explore this vibrant trend is the By the Way Wine Fair, taking place Saturday, Nov. 16, from 1-5 p.m. at The Study Wine Bar and Purity Wine in Richmond’s Marina Bay district. The event will feature 29 natural wine producers, offering an opportunity to taste a wide range of wines from across the region, including new fall releases.
Noel Diaz, Purity’s winemaker and co-owner of The Study Wine Bar, describes natural winemaking as a philosophy that places emphasis on respecting the land and the grapes. “We look at the earth as being important and we are taking care of it,” he says. “We are purists—we want the fruit to taste like it came from a specific place, and we don’t want to make that generic by adding yeast and enzymes and artificial enhancers like oak chips.”
Diaz, a leading figure in the local natural wine community, is also the founder of the Richmond Wine Collective, a cooperative of 21 natural wine producers who share space and resources. A dozen of the wineries attending the By the Way Wine Fair are part of the Collective, alongside other independent winemakers from the broader natural wine movement, including a number of women vintners and winemakers of color.
“We really want to be inclusive,” says Barrie Quan, Diaz’s wife and co-owner of The Study Wine Bar. “Wine has traditionally not been an inclusive space, but with natural wine, we want everyone to feel welcome.”
At the fair, each participating producer will showcase two to four wines, offering a diverse selection of styles, including white, rosé, red, orange wine, and Pet-Nat (pétillant naturel), a type of naturally sparkling wine. Diaz notes that these wines are particularly popular among attendees, but the range will ensure there’s something for every palate.
This edition of the fair marks the eighth since its inception before the pandemic, with the event now held twice a year—once in spring and again in fall. According to Diaz, the fair not only serves as a showcase for natural winemakers but also as an important community-building opportunity. “We are small, craft winemakers, all operating on a bootstrap,” he explains. “Most of us don’t have distributors in California—we sell directly to customers. The fair is like the wine version of a farmer’s market, where we can connect with people face-to-face.”
In addition to wines, the event will feature a variety of food pop-ups, including savory offerings and sweet treats such as pastries from Good Luck Bakery and Sonoran-style Mexican dishes from Xulo. Live entertainment will be provided by TQ Collective, a local jazz and funk band.
Tickets for the fair are available on Eventbrite for $45, which includes tastings from each of the participating wineries. Food and bottled wine will be sold separately. The By the Way Wine Fair provides a unique chance for wine lovers to engage with the natural wine movement and celebrate the diversity of flavors, philosophies, and personalities that define it.
Participating winemakers include Ahha Vino!, BScene, Buddy Buddy Wine, Buggy Wine, Bushy Tail, BXT Wines, East of Eden, Everwild, Full Tilt, General Psychotic Activity, High Camp Wines, Hovik Wines, Laughing Gems, Lil Boy Wines, Lula, Maisons des Plaisances, Miles Garrett Wines, Mischief Wine, Miscreant Wines, Mujo, Onward Wines, Ruby Blanca Wines, Two Shepherds Winery, TyTy, Under The Table, Wild Jag, Wild Rejoice, and Yolia.
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