The Federal Association of Organic Vineyards in Germany, based in Oppenheim (Rhineland-Palatinate), was founded in 1985 by twenty organic winegrowers from the wine-growing regions of Rheinhessen, Pfalz, Mosel and Baden. At that time it was called "Bundesverband ökologischer Weinbau e. V". ECOVIN is the only German winegrowers' association with exclusively organic (Ökologischer) viticulture. There are regional associations in the individual German wine-growing regions, whose 235 member farms cultivate around 1,900 hectares of vines. This makes up about a quarter of the German organic vineyard area. This makes ECOVIN the largest association specialising in viticulture not only in Germany but also worldwide. All products produced according to these rules, such as grapes, grape juice, wine and sparkling wine, are one hundred percent organically grown. Wines produced according to these rules comply with the EU Organic Regulation and can be declared and marketed as organic wines (Ökoweine). Member wineries have not been allowed to have any conventional farm branches since 2023.
ECOVIN guideline
The ECOVIN guideline goes beyond the legal requirements. Genetically modified plants are rejected. In principle, synthetic chemical sprays (all pesticides) and fertilisers are not permitted for plant protection and fertilisation. A species-rich cover crop must be used, compost from the organic waste bin is prohibited due to problematic ingredients. Instead of chemical pest control, beneficial organisms are used, thus preserving the biodiversity (variety of species) of plants and animals. Furthermore, low-pollutant raw materials are to be used and closed production cycles are to be aimed for. The winegrowers are certified on the basis of the EU Organic Regulation and according to the even stricter ECOVIN guidelines and are inspected annually. The association actively supports research in plant protection and grape variety breeding and offers professional training and support in organic viticulture.
ECO-Winner
In 1996 the annual competition "ECO-Winner" was created to identify a selection of the best wines of ECOVIN members. Today, more than 500 wines from almost all German wine-growing regions from about 100 wineries participate in the competition in 14 categories of different wine types. The wine tasting is carried out by an independent, expert jury with members from wine community, wine journalism, gastronomy, wine trade and wine evaluation in the form of a blind tasting. A maximum of 20% of the respective wines within a category will be crowned winners, provided they have been awarded at least 85 points in the 100-point system. These receive a bottle sticker. ECOVIN is a member of the German umbrella organisation BÖLW. For more information on this topic, see also Organic (Ecological) Viticulture and Organic Wine.
vegan wine
By complying with the criteria of vegan wine production, ECOVIN wineries have the possibility to label their wines with the internationally recognised V-seal. See in detail under vegetarian wine.
Logos: ECOVIN Federal Association of Organic Winegrowing
