Ian Brand To Release His First "Made with Organic Grapes" Wine for Whole Foods

Organic retailer Whole Foods has been behind the times in offering organically grown wines and especially domestic ones. That seems like it's in the process of changing as Whole Foods domestic wine buyer Katie Wallace is cutting new deals to source more "Made with Organic Grapes" wine for the Amazon-owned retailer. 

Wine industry observers have been puzzled for some time as to why the eco-oriented grocery giant did not stock much organically grown wine. Even in Berkeley, one would be hard pressed to find a single Made with Organic Grapes rosé.

But the tide may be turning.

First there was the announcement that Scheid had a deal with Whole Foods to launch organically grown wines, the first of which – a rosé under the brand name Grandeur– released in a small production run of 1,500 cases, following certification of one Scheid vineyard. Scheid has announced that it plans to convert all of its 2,800 acres to organic certification.

Now comes news that indie wunderkind winemaker Ian Brand has made a new 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, sourcing grapes from the Zabala vineyard in Arroyo Seco. About 1,800 cases will be released for sale in Whole Foods stores with a retail price of roughly $20+. 

Elsewhere, in Napa, Napa Wine Co.'s Elizabeth Rose brand wines, generally priced between $20-30, will also find a home on Whole Foods shelves.