For years, the natural wine movement was a subterranean current, a secret shared among a small, devoted group of importers, retailers, and sommeliers in global capitals like Berlin, Paris, Tokyo, and New York. For the average wine consumer, it was difficult to understand what a “natural” wine truly was, and even harder to find a diverse selection to taste in one place. That all changed with the arrival of RAW WINE, a fair that has grown into the world’s largest and most influential celebration of natural, low-intervention, organic, and biodynamic wines. Founded by French Master of Wine Isabelle Legeron, RAW WINE is not merely a trade fair; it is a global brand, an educational movement, and a powerful statement of values. By landing in key cultural hubs like London, Berlin, New York, Los Angeles, and Montreal, it has single-handedly catapulted natural wine from a niche interest into the broader consciousness of a global drinking public.
What sets RAW WINE apart from a sea of other tastings is its strict and transparent charter of principles. To be eligible to exhibit, a grower must demonstrate that they work with organically or biodynamically farmed grapes. The harvest must be done by hand. In the cellar, no commercial yeasts or enzymes may be used, and the list of permitted additives is virtually zero. Crucially, any addition of sulfites at bottling must be minimal (under 70 parts per million total) and, most importantly, the exact amount must be declared for all to see. This radical transparency is the cornerstone of the fair’s philosophy, creating a tasting room that is a vibrant, honest, and accountable snapshot of the state of the art in minimal-intervention winemaking, regardless of whether the event is in North America or Europe.
This global stage provides a paradise of discovery for any curious wine lover. Alongside the established icons from the Jura, the Loire, and Sicily, the fair provides a crucial platform for producers who are working on the agricultural fringes in their respective countries. At the Berlin edition, one might discover the thrilling renaissance of German and Austrian winemaking, tasting Sekt made with minimal intervention or uncovering the elegance of Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) from lesser-known regions. In London, the fair becomes a showcase for the burgeoning English wine scene, allowing attendees to taste traditional-method sparkling wines that are challenging Champagne, alongside still wines from grapes like Bacchus or Ortega that are thriving in the country’s cool climate.
Similarly, the North American editions highlight the continent’s own diverse offerings. In Montreal, the fair celebrates the unique wines of Quebec, where cold-hardy Franco-American hybrid grapes like Marquette, La Crescent, and Frontenac are essential. Guided by producers like Deirdre Heekin of La Garagista in nearby Vermont, these grapes, once dismissed by critics, are now proving their ability to produce fresh, energetic, and utterly delicious wines perfectly adapted to their extreme climate. In Los Angeles or New York, the focus might shift to the “other” side of California. Looking beyond the dominance of Cabernet and Chardonnay, the fair gathers the pioneers of the “New California” movement. Attendees can taste wines made from Valdiguié, a light and juicy red grape once misleadingly known as “Napa Gamay,” or discover textured whites from old-vine Trousseau Gris and Chenin Blanc from heritage vineyards that miraculously survived the rush to plant more profitable varieties.
Furthermore, the fair’s very structure is inherently international, creating a global conversation in a single room no matter the host city. It has been a key venue for introducing the remarkable ancient-vine wines of Chile’s Itata Valley, the qvevri wines of Georgia, and the volcanic island wines of the Canary Islands to new markets. It offers a unique opportunity for attendees to taste wines from pioneering producers in Mexico’s Valle de Guadalupe or Japan’s Yamanashi Prefecture alongside their American and European counterparts. This cross-pollination of ideas and palates is a core part of the RAW WINE experience.
The atmosphere at any RAW WINE event is electric. Held in bright, airy urban spaces like industrial warehouses or studios, it attracts a diverse and engaged crowd: curious young consumers, top chefs, influential sommeliers, and retailers looking to shape the next wave of their selections. A strong educational component, including talks and masterclasses, underpins the event. The fair’s app and catalog allow attendees to access detailed information on every producer and wine, including the all-important sulfite levels, empowering them to make informed choices and connect directly with the ethos of the winemakers.
The global impact of RAW WINE has been transformative. It has demystified the term “natural wine,” providing a clear definition and a seal of approval that consumers from Toronto to London can understand and trust. It has created an international marketplace for hundreds of small producers who might otherwise struggle to reach an audience beyond their local communities. By championing transparency, it has implicitly challenged the conventional wine industry worldwide to be more open about its own farming and winemaking practices. RAW WINE proved that the growing interest in authentic, artisanal, and diverse wine was not a fleeting trend, but a fundamental shift in consumer values across the globe. By bringing the natural wine revolution directly to the doorstep of the world’s most influential cities, it has empowered a new generation of drinkers to look beyond the familiar and celebrate the profound beauty of honest wine.
