🍷 Glyphosate in American Wines: The Dirty Secret in Your Glass

Conventional wineries claim that Roundup is sprayed primarily on the soil and between vine rows.

Glyphosate—the active ingredient in Roundup and the flagship herbicide originally developed by Monsanto (now owned by Bayer)—is widely used throughout American agriculture, including in many conventional vineyards. Although certified organic vineyards prohibit its use, glyphosate residues can still be detected due to environmental contamination, pesticide drift, contaminated water, or previous land use.

Conventional wineries often state that glyphosate is applied only to the soil and between vine rows rather than directly onto grapevines. Regardless of where it is applied, numerous studies have detected glyphosate residues in finished wines, demonstrating that the chemical can ultimately make its way into the bottle.

Independent testing by the Texas Organic Research Center, the Detox Project and especially the 2016 study by Moms Across America, found glyphosate in 100% of California wines sampled—including those labeled organic. And while these were relatively small sample sizes, the result was not surprising to anyone paying attention to how modern industrial farming operates.

Glyphosate is not just common—it’s foundational to how most conventional vineyards manage weeds.

The Truth Is This

Available testing suggests that glyphosate residues are widespread in conventionally produced American wines. While contamination levels vary by producer, growing region, and farming practices, the evidence indicates that exposure through conventional wines is common.

Even organic wines are not always free of glyphosate. Pesticide drift, contaminated water, and historical land use can introduce trace residues into organically managed vineyards. Although levels are generally much lower than those found in conventional agriculture, this illustrates how extensively glyphosate has spread throughout the agricultural environment.

Glyphosate Has Been Classified as a Probable Human Carcinogen

Glyphosate has been classified as a probable human carcinogen !!!

Glyphosate was classified as a probable human carcinogen (Group 2A) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organization. Since then, independent researchers have continued to investigate its potential links to:

• Cancer

• Endocrine disruption

• Microbiome damage

• Reproductive and developmental toxicity

Regardless of the assurances offered by Monsanto/Bayer and many regulatory agencies, many consumers have lost confidence in the long-term safety of glyphosate—particularly as residues continue to be detected in everyday foods, including bread, cereals, wine, and infant foods.

Regulators in the U.S. continue to permit its use, but that does not mean it is safe—it means that it is "only" legal. There is a vast difference.

Situation in Wines from Chile, Argentina, and Europe

Here's an evidence-based look at glyphosate contamination in wines from Chile, Argentina, and Europe, based on the available scientific evidence.

Chile and Argentina

Glyphosate is used in South American agriculture, including vineyards, but generally less aggressively than in U.S. industrial-scale farming.

In Argentina, some wine regions—especially Mendoza—use glyphosate for vineyard soil management. However, many boutique and export-focused producers, particularly organic or biodynamic wineries, intentionally avoid it.

Chile has a strong international reputation for cleaner farming practices, especially in cooler coastal and high-altitude regions. Certified organic or biodynamic Chilean wines are generally lower-risk for glyphosate exposure, though not guaranteed to be completely free of residues.

Neither Chile nor Argentina has a national glyphosate ban. However, consumer demand—especially from Europe—has pushed many South American wine producers to reduce chemical use in export-bound wines.

➡️ Bottom Line:

Glyphosate is present in many conventionally produced Chilean and Argentinian wines, but it appears to be less widespread than in American wines. For the best chance of avoiding glyphosate residues, look for wines that are certified organic, biodynamic, or produced by wineries that openly disclose chemical-free or regenerative farming practices.

Europe (especially France, Italy, Spain, Germany)

Glyphosate is still used in parts of Europe, especially in conventional vineyards, but its use is declining due to consumer pressure, stricter EU rules, and growing regional restrictions.

France, Italy, and Spain have large numbers of biodynamic, organic, and natural wine producers, many of whom openly oppose glyphosate and chemical-intensive farming.

Biodynamic certification, such as Demeter, and EU Organic certification are generally more reliable in Europe than in the U.S. for avoiding glyphosate exposure.

➡️ Bottom Line:

Glyphosate can still be found in some conventional European wines, but cleaner, chemical-free options are far more accessible. Europe remains a global leader in organic, biodynamic, and low-intervention natural wine production.

Safe Bets for Avoiding Glyphosate

Look for:

• Demeter-certified biodynamic wines

• Wines labeled "Glyphosate Residue Free" or those with independent laboratory testing

• EU Organic-certified wines from producers with transparent farming practices

• Dry-farmed, low-intervention, regenerative, or natural wines from reputable wineries

Avoid:

• Mass-produced, ultra-low-priced wines from any country

• Wines with vague "green" or "natural" marketing claims that lack recognized certifications or transparent chemical-free farming practices

Where Do We Go From Here?

If you're trying to minimize glyphosate exposure, your best options are:

• Regenerative wineries and farms that explicitly reject synthetic herbicides.

• Biodynamic vineyards, while confirming their actual farming practices.

• Products labeled "Glyphosate Residue Free" or independently tested for glyphosate residues.

Even then, no wine can be guaranteed glyphosate-free unless it has been laboratory tested. Given the widespread presence of glyphosate in the environment, trace contamination remains possible, even among producers committed to chemical-free farming.

Final Take

This is not fear-mongering. It is the consequence of decades of chemical-intensive agriculture and the normalization of herbicide use throughout our food system. If nearly every bottle of wine on the shelf—regardless of price or prestige—contains residues of a widely used herbicide, the issue extends far beyond individual labels. It reflects a system that has accepted chemical contamination as the norm. Consumers deserve better, and the first step toward change is knowing the truth.

While American wines appear to be among the most contaminated, glyphosate has become a global pollutant. Unless vineyards deliberately avoid its use, residues are likely to find their way into the bottle.

Europe and parts of South America offer better opportunities to find cleaner wines, but the deciding factor is not geography—it's the producer's farming philosophy. Wineries committed to organic, biodynamic, regenerative, or other low-intervention practices remain the best choice for consumers seeking to minimize glyphosate exposure.

A Message to RFK Jr. and the USDA

We support your commitment to restoring public health and integrity to America's food system. But this issue demands urgent action. Glyphosate contamination has become deeply embedded in our food supply, exposing millions of Americans every day.

Mr. Kennedy, together with your FDA and USDA teams, we urge you to use your authority, your platform, and your leadership to end our dependence on this chemical.

Ban glyphosate. Remove it from our vineyards, our wheat fields, our farms, and ultimately our food supply. Let this be the generation that restores transparency, accountability, and trust in American agriculture.

The American people are ready. Millions are demanding a cleaner, healthier food system. It's time to clean house—starting with the vineyard.