"Natural wine" gets argued about endlessly. Our take: low-intervention, native-yeast, low-sulfur, organic-or-biodynamic farmed. Buffalo House carries one of Western New York's deepest natural-wine selections — here's where to start.
Same-day delivery across the Buffalo metro. Free over $49 · $4.99 under · $25 minimum. Order online or call (716) 770-1230.
What "Natural Wine" Actually Means
There's no legal definition. The working consensus: organic or biodynamic farming, hand-harvested, fermented with native (not commercial) yeast, minimal or zero added sulfur, no fining or filtration, no additives beyond grapes. The result: wines that taste alive, sometimes funky, often surprising.
10 Bottles to Start With
- Domaine de la Pinte "Cuvée d'Automne" ($28) — Jura, oxidative, bone-dry. Gateway natural white.
- Frank Cornelissen "Susucaru" Rosé ($35) — Mt. Etna, hazy, electric.
- Christian Tschida "Himmel auf Erden" ($45) — Austrian Zweigelt, floral, light, magic.
- La Stoppa "Ageno" ($45) — orange wine from Emilia-Romagna. The reference orange wine.
- Domaine Marcel Lapierre Morgon ($38) — the original natural Beaujolais. Juicy, structured, drinkable forever.
- Costador "Metamorphika" ($28) — Catalan amphora-aged white, mineral and salty.
- Catherine & Pierre Breton "Bourgueil Trinch" ($28) — Loire Cabernet Franc, peppery, food-friendly.
- Donkey & Goat "The Recluse" ($45) — California natural Syrah, smoky and structured.
- Ruth Lewandowski "Feints" Cuvée Zero ($32) — California field blend, fresh and energetic.
- Domaine Ostertag "Sylvaner Vieilles Vignes" ($32) — Alsatian biodynamic, salty, long.
Pét-Nat (Pétillant Naturel)
Single-fermentation sparkling wine — bottled before fermentation completes, finishes its bubbles in the bottle. Cloudy, casual, off-dry to dry, often capped with a crown cap rather than a cork. Buffalo House rotates 6–10 pét-nats at any time. Ask staff what landed this week.
Should I Decant Natural Wine?
Yes — most natural reds open up dramatically with 30–60 minutes of air. Some natural whites benefit too. If a bottle smells weird at first pour, give it 20 minutes before judging.
Storage
Natural wine is more sensitive than conventional wine. Keep cold (55°F or below), out of light, drink within 2–3 years of release unless the producer specifically says otherwise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy natural wine in Buffalo?
Buffalo House Liquor & Wines on Colvin Blvd has Western New York's deepest natural-wine selection. Same-day delivery across the metro, free over $49.
What's the difference between natural wine and organic wine?
Organic refers to farming. Natural goes further: native-yeast fermentation, no added sulfur (or very minimal), no additives, no fining or filtration. All natural wine is organically farmed; not all organic wine is natural.
What's pét-nat?
Pétillant Naturel — single-fermentation sparkling wine bottled before fermentation completes. Casual, cloudy, often capped. Buffalo House rotates 6–10 pét-nats at any time.
Should I be worried if natural wine smells funky?
A little funk is part of the style — barnyard, brett, slight oxidation. If a bottle smells like vinegar or wet cardboard, it may be flawed; bring it back. Otherwise, decant and give it 20 minutes.
