Organic History
The Organic History at Frey Vineyards tells the story of farmers and gardeners who believe deeply in Organic agriculture, and pioneering organic winemaking in the US to bring you the first certified organic wines. This history outlines some of our major milestones. If you’re interested in more of the story of organic wine, you can also tune into our “Frey Vines” podcast.
Check out “Frey Vines” the podcast, telling the story of organic wine
The History of Organic Winemaking
Frey Vineyards is bonded in 1980
1980 First Organic Winery in the USA! Frey Vineyards is founded & certified organic!
1980s Researching additive-free winemaking techniques. Matthew Frey constructs the original winery buildings.
1985 Katrina Frey attends the Natural Products Expo and Frey lands its first distributor outside of California.
1987-9 Jonathan Frey works with the CCOF to draft the processing standards that become the NOP (National Organic Project) administered by the USDA.
1989 Tour de Sol in Switzerland, Paul Frey starts researching organic winemaking in Europe.
1990s Zero-oxygen bottling equipment changes the game for no sulfites-added winemaking. Frey wine starts to win gold medals in the international wine community.
1996 First USA winery to achieve Demeter Biodynamic® certification.
Our Biodynamic Vineyards are home to many farm animals
1998 Paul Frey Jr. becomes winemaker.
2003 Mendocino County bans GMO agriculture with campaigning and support from Frey Vineyards.
2011 The Frey Wine Club is born, featuring Organic & Biodynamic no sulfites-added wines.
The Frey Wine Club curates shipments with wine, recipes, and gifts four times a year
2017 Break ground on the new winery site on West Rd. in Redwood Valley
2018 A state-of-the-art BioFiltro worm composting system is installed to treat wastewater from winemaking
2020-2 Frey Vineyards is distinguished as the Organic Winery of the Year by the New York International Wine Competition
2024 Casey Frey releases an advertisement for Frey Vineyards that goes viral
Casey Frey grew up on the Frey ranch and now makes his living as a comedian and actor
2024 Mendocino County is awarded the American Wine Region of the Year by Wine Enthusiast
Mendocino County rejoices at this award, recognizing our region!
2025 New Tasting Room opening in 2025 just in time to honor 45 years of Organic wine!!!
Celebrate 45 years in organic history making organic wine with us, the first organic winery in the USA, by ordering your favorite wine in our wine shop! Cheers!
In 2025, we’re celebrating 45 years of organic wine at Frey!