Pea Protein (Wine Fining) — Hidden Processing Agent — Is It Vegan?

Vegan status: Vegan

Also known as: Pea protein isolate fining, Vegecoll, Vegan wine fining agent

Source

Isolated from yellow split peas (Pisum sativum). Entirely plant-derived and vegan.

Used in

Wine fining and clarification as a vegan alternative to casein (milk protein), egg albumin, and gelatin. Used to reduce tannin astringency and improve wine texture.

Appears on label: No. Not required on wine labels in most jurisdictions. 'Vegan-friendly' or 'vegan' wine labels indicate the absence of animal fining agents.

How to avoid

No need to avoid — pea protein fining is vegan and is the preferred alternative to animal-derived fining agents.

Notes

Pea protein fining agents (commercially sold as Vegecoll and similar products) have been adopted by many vegan-friendly wineries as a direct replacement for casein and egg albumin. They perform well for softening tannins and reducing astringency. The Barnivore database and DrinkAware label vegan wines based on producers' use of plant-based fining agents.