Have you ever seen this logo on French wines? Chances are it was there, but you didn’t notice it. Until recently, neither had we. It’s the logo of the Vignerons Indépendants, also known as the Independent Winegrowers of France. When affixed on a bottle, the logo signifies that the wine was made by an independent French vigneron who grew the grapes and then bottled and distributed the wines he made.

Members of the Vignerons Indépendants oversee every step of the grape growing and winemaking processes with care and competence, from vineyard to bottle. The logo is an emblem of commitment to and compliance with the 13 points that constitute the Vignerons Indépendants' charter. It’s not easy to “wear every hat” from grower to winemaker, let alone craft wines that merit a “badge of honor;” but many noteworthy producers are committed to the professionalism of the Vignerons Indépendant.

For a beautiful pinot gris or pinot blanc made by an independent winegrower, look to Gerard Metz in Alsace, whose bottles all run under $20. Domaine Millet produces an absolutely stunning Chablis from Burgundy, and Domaine Comte De Monspey’s Cru Beaujolais from Brouilly will knock your socks off.

There are literally hundreds of winery members in every wine region of France, so keep an eye out for this hard-earned mark of quality on your next bottle of French wine.

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