In order to be considered for inclusion in our marketplace, all wines must meet the following baseline criteria:
Transparency
The winemakers/growers we work with directly must be fully transparent and be able to present documentation as requested. Where applicable, all growers and suppliers we work with demonstrate compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act.
Farming Practices
We select wines that come from sustainably farmed vineyards with a preference toward certified (or verified practicing) organic and/or biodynamic processes.
- Sustainable farming means:
- For small producers (under 10,000 cases per year):
- Direct relationship with farmers.
- Winemaker has a signed affidavit guaranteeing that they don’t use any pesticides, fertilizers or other inputs that are not allowed under the National Organic Program’s National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances.
- If we have a direct relationship with the grower and they’ve worked with us to develop a plan to meet the above exception within three years, and are currently not using any substance on the prohibited substance list.
- At least 1 sustainable program - water conservation, waste offset, practicing biodiversity, etc.
- Direct relationship with farmers.
- For medium and import producers (under 50,000 cases per year):
- Majority organic farming (practiced, not certified) or better, or plan to execute to this standard over time
- Multiple sustainable programs ongoing - water conservation, waste offset, practicing biodiversity, etc.
- For large producers (over 50,000 cases per year):
- Completely organically farmed or equivalent/better (practiced and documented, not certified) or have a defined plan to execute to this standard in a stated timeframe
- Multiple sustainable programs ongoing - renewable energy, supporting land regeneration, water conservation, waste offset, practicing biodiversity, etc.
- For small producers (under 10,000 cases per year):
Winemaking Practices
At Good Eggs, our preference is towards no chemical additions in the winery with the exception of minimal applications of copper, sulfur, SO2 and natural fining agents (i.e.: egg white, isinglass, clay):
- No use of artificial flavors, colorants, preservatives, sweeteners.
- No DMDC. Dimethyl dicarbonate is primarily used as a beverage preservative and sterilant.
- No Acetaldehyde. This chemical is used for color stabilization.
- If we have a direct relationship with the winemaker, any further chemical exceptions will come as a result of a signed affidavit and full transparent disclosure.
- List of unallowable ingredients found here
Labor Practices
All wine must come from winemakers/growers or vendors who have filled out a detailed Labor Practice Standards questionnaire that guarantees that they adhere to the following criteria:
- No forced labor or human trafficking used directly or via their supply chain
- No prison labor used directly or via their supply chain
- No child labor used directly or via their supply chain
- All employees are paid at least minimum wage
- All contracted employees are paid at least minimum wage
- Regular labor practice audits of suppliers, where feasible, or signed affidavits that they also meet our labor standards.
- Winemakers/Growers must not discriminate in any employment practices, including hiring, based on any California protected class.
- Winemakers/Growers must create a workplace free of coercion and harassment. Employees must be treated with dignity and respect.
- Winemakers/Growers must have a reporting process that provides multiple accessible resources for reporting, including resources independent from management.
- Winemakers/Growers may not retaliate against employees for reporting harassment.
- Winemakers/Growers must promptly and thoroughly investigate claims of harassment.
- Winemakers/Growers must periodically train employees on harassment policies.
- Winemakers/Growers must provide employees with a safe working environment, following all applicable health and safety laws.
- Employees must be able to take sick leave when ill without retaliation.
- Employees must be able to unionize or otherwise collectively organize for their interests without retaliation.
- For Imports: if coming from a country with labor issues, some way to certify fair labor (i.e. fair trade)
- Central America
- South America
- African continent