AVN, S.A.I.N.S., Nature & Progrès: natural wine charters explained
Unlike the AB label or biodynamic certifications, AVN, S.A.I.N.S., and Nature & Progrès are not official state-recognized certifications. They are private charters created by winemakers and associations to fill a major regulatory void: there is no official "natural wine" label in France — these charters are the movement's collective response to this absence.
Why private charters?
There is no legal definition of "natural wine" in France or Europe. Any producer can put "natural wine" on their label without meeting a single criterion — it is a purely commercial, unregulated term. Faced with this vacuum, winemakers and associations have created their own charters with transparent criteria and peer-to-peer checks so that consumers can navigate the market.
These charters have no legal status — a winemaker who fails to follow them faces no legal penalties. Their value is ethical and reputational: being excluded from AVN or S.A.I.N.S. for failing to comply with the charter is a real penalty within the natural wine community.
AVN (Association des Vins Naturels)
Founded in 2001, the AVN was one of the first associations to formalize the criteria for natural wine in France. Its charter is clear and verifiable:
In the vineyard:
- Certified organic (AB) viticulture or documented and controlled organic practices
- Mandatory hand-harvesting
- Zero herbicides, zero synthetic pesticides
In the cellar:
- Indigenous yeasts only — no selected industrial yeasts
- Zero oenological additives (tannins, enzymes, tartaric acid, gelatin, activated charcoal...)
- Total sulfur below 30 mg/L for reds, 40 mg/L for whites and rosés (zero added sulfur for some members)
- Zero tight filtration or centrifugation
- Zero chaptalization or enrichment with alcohol
Control is carried out through tastings and exchanges between members, with the possibility of analysis in case of doubt. A winemaker who does not respect the charter can be excluded.
S.A.I.N.S. (Sans Aucun Intrant Ni Soufre ajouté)
S.A.I.N.S. is the most demanding — and most explicit — charter. Its acronym is its set of specifications: zero added sulfur, zero additives, everywhere, all the time.
Key criteria:
- Mandatory certified organic viticulture (AB, Demeter, or Biodyvin)
- Mandatory hand-harvesting
- Zero sulfur added at any stage (sulfur naturally produced by fermentation remains, but none is added)
- Zero cellar additives — the list is strictly empty
- No corrections (no acidity, sugar level, or color adjustments)
- Bottling or packaging in BIB only by gravity or using a gentle, low-pressure pump
A S.A.I.N.S. wine has no safety net — it tolerates no human intervention beyond work in the vineyard and winemaking reduced to the bare minimum. These wines are often the most "alive" and surprising, but also the most fragile to store and transport.
Nature & Progrès
Nature & Progrès is the oldest of the three — founded in 1964, long before the term "natural wine" existed. It is originally a generalist organic farming association that covers vegetables, grains, and livestock as well as viticulture. For wine, its charter is one of the most comprehensive:
What sets it apart:
- Very strict organic requirements in the vineyard — often more demanding than the standard official AB specifications
- Additives-free cellar with a very restricted positive list of what is authorized
- Very limited sulfur (limits comparable to AVN)
- Peer control: other member winemakers and farmers perform the checks through surprise visits and blind tastings. This "citizen inspection" system is original and often perceived as more rigorous than traditional administrative controls
- Social and ethical dimension: Nature & Progrès also looks at working conditions on the farm, relationships with employees, and environmental respect beyond the vineyard
The three charters at a glance
In summary:
- Nature & Progrès: the oldest, the most complete (vineyard + cellar + social dimension), peer-controlled.
- AVN: the historical reference for strict natural wine, highly respected in the industry, clear and verifiable criteria.
- S.A.I.N.S.: the most demanding — zero compromise, zero sulfur, zero additives. For winemakers who take the approach to its logical end.
These three charters coexist without competing — some winemakers are members of several, or move from one to the other as their practices evolve. What matters is the spirit of the approach as much as the label itself. To understand the overall picture of certifications, our guide AB, Demeter, AVN: what's the difference? compares all the labels. Discover our natural wines in BIB.
Frequently asked questions about natural wine charters
Can a wine without an AVN or S.A.I.N.S. logo still be a natural wine?
Yes, absolutely. Membership in these charters is voluntary and paid. Many winemakers practice natural winemaking with as much integrity as certified members, without finding it necessary to pay dues to an organization. Reputation within the industry, tastings at wine shops, and the trust of importers play a role just as important as the logo. Our article natural wine without a label: how to spot a good winemaker gives you the keys to see clearly.
Do these charters have official recognition in France?
No. They have no legal value and are not recognized by the State or Europe like the AB label. They are self-regulatory tools for the natural wine movement — effective within the community, but without the power of legal sanction in case of non-compliance. The value of these charters lies in the reputation of their members and the credibility of their controls.