Becoming a B-Lister

Gunning for the B-List: Setting a New Standard for Purpose-Driven Wineries

Staff Reports

Wine lovers are seeking more than just great flavor in today’s conscious consumer landscape. They are craving more clarity on the label. They want transparency. They’re looking for ethical, environmentally friendly bottles they can fully enjoy. And B-Corp certified wines are becoming a viable option for them.

While wine labels offer basic legal info, they often fall short in delivering many relevant details. Consumers seeking more pertinent information—about farming practices, additives, or true origins—usually have to do their own research or rely on who they consider as trustworthy producers to make an informed buying decision.

For a growing number of consumers, a bottle of wine that displays the B-Corp logo indicates to them that the winery is working just as hard on its ethics as it is on its products.

The B-Corp Badge

That’s where a B Corporation (B-Corp) certification comes into the picture. It is a globally recognized standard for companies that meet high levels of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency. For wineries, achieving B-Corp status is like earning a gold star for being good stewards of people, planet and profit.

Unlike organic or biodynamic certifications, which focus solely on agricultural practices, B-Corp evaluates businesses on many other elements. The certification process scores companies across five key areas:

• Governance – Transparency and ethical business practices.
• Workers – Fair wages, benefits, and worker satisfaction.
• Community – Commitment to local impact, diversity, and charitable involvement.
• Environment – Energy use, water conservation, waste reduction, and sustainable farming.
• Customers – Honest marketing and the delivery of products that support public benefit.

To become certified, companies must score at least 80 out of 200 on the B Impact Assessment and undergo a rigorous verification process every three years. 

Several wineries have stepped up and met the challenge. A to Z Wineworks, based in Oregon, became the first American winery to achieve B-Corp status in 2014. Their commitment to fair labor practices, environmental stewardship, and responsible sourcing set a precedent in the U.S. wine industry.

Chateau Maris, a biodynamic winery in France’s Languedoc region, is another standout. Not only are their vineyards chemical-free, but the winery itself is built from hemp bricks, minimizing its carbon footprint. Maris proves that sustainability can be innovative and elegant.

In Argentina, Bodega Argento is leading the way, combining organic viticulture with social investment programs in local communities. Their B-Corp 2024 status reflects a deep-rooted mission to uplift the land and people behind every bottle.

In terms of bubbles, Champagnes Piper-Heidsieck, Charles Heidsieck and Rare Champagne were the very first wineries in Champagne to achieve B Corp certification. This certification is stated to showcase the commitment of all three Champagne houses to improving both their social and environmental impacts on the planet and community: sustainable viticulture, reduction of both carbon footprint and waste, the promotion of diversity and inclusion, and the quality of life at work. 

These wine companies are part of continuing group of businesses seeking the B Corp certification across the world. According to the B Lab’s 2023 Annual Report, there was an increase from 2,057 certified B Corporations to 2,385 companies across the United States and Canada. That year also represented a total 8,051 certified businesses globally. 

The certification is believed to help these companies build trust with consumers, communities, and suppliers; attract and retain employees; and draw mission-aligned investors.

However, not everyone is on board. There have been concerns about potential “greenwashing” due to the certification’s reliance on self-assessment. And others believe that the certification of larger, multinational companies are watering down the certification’s original purpose of striving for transformative change.