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Inside Kwaya Wines: Vegan Wine, Biodynamic Farming, and African Heritage

Recorded live at the Flowin' Feast food and wine festival in Fort Lauderdale, this conversation features Nicky Coachman-Robinson and her daughter Milan, founders of Kwaya Organic Cellars, on what actually makes a wine vegan.

Why most wine is not vegan by default

Many winemakers filter their wine using animal-derived agents like egg whites, fish parts, or bone marrow, none of which are required to appear on a label. Kwaya's wines, produced in partnership with a Mendocino, California vineyard first certified organic in 1980 and certified organic and biodynamic in 1996, skip that process entirely: no added sulfites, no animal-derived fining agents, gluten-free, and made without pesticides or herbicides.

A name and a label rooted in heritage

Kwaya means seed in a language spoken in Northern Africa, chosen to reflect the brand's identity as an organic, biodynamic operation. The label artwork draws on African basket-weaving patterns across the three varietals, a Merlot, a Chardonnay, and a Sangiovese. The founders also point to customer feedback linking cleaner, unfiltered wine to fewer headaches and histamine reactions, though they're careful to frame that as anecdotal, not medical advice.

• Kwaya wines are available at Whole Foods, Total Wine & More, and Fresh Market locations across Florida, plus 19 other states, with direct shipping available through the Kwaya wine club where state law allows.
• The brand originated from SoFlo Vegans and has since expanded its reach through the Vegans Explore global directory.
• Kwaya will be featured in the Vegans Explore business directory alongside other vendors met on the South Florida tour circuit.