Orange Wine: The Ancient and Trendy Skin-Contact White

At Mai Vino, we don’t do boring and we don't make industrial wines. We work directly with growers to handcraft organic wines fermented with wild yeast. We believe that by introducing others to the wonderful world of wine, we can help them develop a deeper appreciation for it.

Is Orange Wine Made of Oranges?

Orange wine—nope, not made from oranges. But it does have that wild, sun-drenched glow that makes you want to sip it by a pool while listening to a 70s vinyl. This style of wine is having a MOMENT, but it’s been around for thousands of years. It’s also known as Amber Wine, skin-contact wine, Ramato, etc. So what’s the deal with it - how is it made, what does it taste like, and where can we buy it!? Let’s break it down.

What is Orange Wine?

Orange wine is a type of white wine, though it is in a league of its own. Unlike traditional white wines such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, and Riesling, orange wine is made using an ancient technique called skin-contact fermentation.

Unlike your usual white wines like Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, or  Riesling, orange wine gets its color from keeping the grape skins in the mix during fermentation—which is what winemakers do in red wine production. The result? A deep golden, orange coppery, sometimes straight-up amber elixir that’s full of bold flavors and attitude.

Because of its unique fermentation process, orange wine is sometimes referred to as "skin-contact white wine." The practice dates back thousands of years and is still used in winemaking traditions around the world.

How is Orange Wine Made?

The key to orange wine's production lies in skin-contact fermentation. Unlike conventional white wine, where the grape skins are removed immediately after pressing, orange wine undergoes extended maceration, often lasting weeks or even months.

Alright, wine nerds, here’s the rundown. Instead of pressing white grapes and immediately ditching the skins (like you would for a Chardonnay), orange wine lets the juice and skins hang out together for days, weeks, even months. This is what gives the wine its signature color and tannic tea grip.

Some winemakers go full ancient mode, fermenting the juice in clay pots buried underground like in Georgia. Others age it in oak or stainless steel, each method tweaking the final taste and texture. But one thing remains the same: this is low-intervention winemaking at its finest—no crazy additives, no weird tricks, just grapes soaking doing their thing.

This process extracts tannins, phenolics, and aromatic compounds from the grape skins, resulting in a wine with a more complex flavor profile and deeper color. The level of skin contact varies by winemaker, with some opting for short maceration times to create lighter orange wines, while others allow the skins to remain for months, producing robust and tannic expressions.

Many orange wines are produced using minimal intervention techniques. This means no commercial yeasts, little to no sulfites, and aging in clay amphorae, neutral oak, or stainless steel tanks. This natural approach enhances the wine's depth and character, making each bottle unique.

What Does Orange Wine Taste Like?

It’s like white wine, but with a little more edge. Think dried apricots, orange zest, baked pears, and honeyed almonds with a splash of funky cider energy. Some bottles give off nutty, sherry-like vibes, while others lean more into stone fruit and spice. Either way, orange wine has tannins, texture, and a whole lot of personality.

• Dry with bold tannins – Unlike traditional white wines, orange wines have tannins similar to red wines, giving them a structured mouthfeel.
• Fruity and nutty notes – Expect flavors of dried apricots, orange zest, baked pears, and honeyed almonds. Some orange wines also have hints of bruised apple and marmalade.
• Savory and oxidative qualities – Some styles develop nutty, umami-like flavors reminiscent of Sherry or cider.
• Mineral-driven with a touch of spice – Depending on the terroir, orange wines can showcase minerality with notes of ginger, white pepper, or even a saline finish.

How to Serve Orange Wine

Serve it cool but not ice-cold (around 55-60°F), and pour it into a glass with some room to breathe. If you drink it too cold, you’ll miss out on all those sexy aromas and flavors. Trust me, let it open up. It’s worth it.

Where Does Orange Wine Come From?

Orange wine traces its origins back over 8,000 years to Georgia, where winemakers still use traditional clay vessels called qvevri to ferment and age the wine. Today, notable regions producing high-quality orange wine include:

• Georgia – The birthplace of skin-contact winemaking, known for its rich amber-colored wines made from Rkatsiteli grapes.
• Italy (Friuli-Venezia Giulia) – Italian winemakers craft orange wines using the Ramato method, particularly from Pinot Grigio grapes.
• Slovenia – Bordering Italy’s Friuli region, Slovenian winemakers have mastered the art of skin-contact wines, producing elegant and structured bottles.
• United States (California & New York) – American producers have embraced the natural wine movement, experimenting with local grape varieties.
• Chile (Itata Valley) – In Itata, where Mai Vino produces orange wine, skin-contact winemaking has been the default method for white grapes, preserving a centuries-old tradition.

Is Orange Wine Sweet or Dry?

Most orange wines are dry, but they often have an intense fruitiness that can give the impression of sweetness. However, some off-dry styles are available, depending on the winemaker’s approach.

If you love bold flavors, orange wine is an excellent choice. It’s versatile and pairs well with various dishes, making it a favorite among food lovers and sommeliers.

Best Food Pairings for Orange Wine

Thanks to its bold structure and tannins, orange wine pairs beautifully with:

• Funky cheeses – Taleggio, blue cheese, washed-rind beauties? Yes, please.
• Charcuterie boards – Salty meats, pâtés, and all that good stuff.
• Spiced cuisine – Moroccan tagines, Ethiopian stews, Indian curries? Bring it on.
• Grilled veggies – Earthy, roasted flavors? Orange wine loves it.
• Fermented foods – Kimchi, miso, pickled anything. The funkier, the better.

Where to Buy Orange Wine

Looking to score some orange wine? Here’s where to find it:

Online Retailers

Mai Vino sells some of the best orange wines online—delivered straight to your door. Because why leave your couch?

Local Wine Shops

Ask for natural wines, skin-contact whites, or amber wines. Bonus points if your wine shop has a hipster working there who gets excited about it.

Restaurants & Wine Bars

If you wanna try before committing to a full bottle, check out natural wine bars. They’ll usually have at least one killer orange wine on the list.

Grocery & Liquor Stores

More mainstream retailers are catching on—so check the organic or biodynamic section.

Handcrafted Organic Natural Wines With a Green Footprint

At Mai Vino, we do things the hard BUT right way. No pesticides, no herbicides, just killer wines made from 80-year-old vines. And because we care about this planet as much as we care about what’s in our glass, we package our wines in eco-friendly pouches—which cut wine’s carbon footprint by 80% compared to glass bottles. That’s something to cheers to.

Check out our online wine store to get some Mai Vino in your life, or find us in 350+ retail locations nationwide. Drink better, drink bolder, drink orange.