The Role of Native Fermentation in Minimal-Intervention Wine

In minimal-intervention winemaking, every choice comes down to trust — in the fruit, in the site, and in time. One of the most defining choices we make at Allium is to ferment with native yeast.

What Is Native Fermentation?

Unlike commercial fermentation, which uses lab-grown yeast strains selected for predictability or specific flavor outcomes, native fermentation relies entirely on wild yeasts already present on the grape skins, in the vineyard, and in the winery environment.

These ambient yeasts are part of the vineyard’s natural microbiome. They vary by region, vineyard, and even vintage — making them a true expression of place and time.

Why It Matters

Native fermentation isn’t about being trendy or nostalgic. It’s about authenticity and complexity. Here’s why we choose it:

• It reflects terroir more clearly. The yeast population is one more layer of what makes a site unique.

• It builds nuance. Native fermentations often unfold more slowly and involve multiple yeast strains, resulting in a wider range of aromatics and textures.

• It supports a hands-off philosophy. Rather than steering the wine with additives, we allow it to evolve on its own terms.

The Risks (and Rewards)

We’ll be honest — native fermentation takes patience. It doesn’t always start when you want it to. It can stall, slow down, or surprise you. But that unpredictability is also where the magic happens. When it works (and in a healthy vineyard, it usually does), the result is a wine with depth, energy, and integrity.

How We Do It at Allium

All of our wines are fermented with native yeast, including our first release from Katie’s Block above Lake Sonoma. We monitor closely but intervene rarely — trusting the process, and the place, to lead the way.

In a world of shortcuts, native fermentation is a commitment to the long way around. And we believe that’s exactly where the best wine lives. Read more about our winemaking philosophy here.

Want to be the first to taste our native-fermented wines? Join the Inner Circle and come along for the journey.