Edinburgh’s wine scene has evolved. Dramatically.
Scotland’s capital now offers dedicated vegan wine tastings, plant-based pairing classes, and wine bars that proudly highlight animal-friendly bottles. You can explore everything from intimate monthly tastings to sophisticated pairing dinners without worrying whether egg whites or fish bladder touched your glass.
This matters because wine isn’t automatically vegan. Traditional winemaking often uses animal-derived fining agents like isinglass (from fish), gelatin, casein (milk protein), or egg whites to clarify wines. But Edinburgh’s wine professionals have recognized the demand for transparent, ethical options.
Whether you’re visiting Scotland’s capital or you’re a local looking to expand your wine knowledge, here’s your complete guide to vegan wine experiences in Edinburgh.
Why Edinburgh Works for Vegan Wine Lovers
Scotland’s capital has embraced plant-based living faster than most UK cities. Vegetarian restaurants established in the 1960s now proudly serve vegan wine lists. Natural wine bars filter their selections by vegan status. Even mainstream wine schools offer dedicated plant-based pairing classes.
What changed? Consumer demand met professional expertise.
Edinburgh attracts internationally-minded tourists and hosts a progressive local population. Wine professionals responded by curating vegan-friendly selections, obtaining certifications, and creating educational experiences around animal-free wine production.
The city’s compact size helps too. Most venues sit within easy reach of public transport or pleasant walks through Georgian streets.
Vegan Tipples: Edinburgh’s Dedicated Vegan Wine Specialist
Vegan Tipples deserves first mention. Why? Because it’s Edinburgh’s only 100% vegan wine specialist.
Susan, the Edinburgh local behind this one-woman operation, hosts intimate tasting evenings typically on the first Friday of each month at a central venue. Participants sample six curated vegan wines accompanied by plenty of plant-based nibbles. Cost? Around £15 per person.
That’s exceptional value.
The events carry a friendly, informal vibe. Susan shares stories and ethics behind each winery while you sip. Many attendees praise the opportunity to discover delicious new vegan wines in a relaxed setting where questions are encouraged.
Beyond monthly tastings, Vegan Tipples operates an online shop with 100+ vegan wines plus vegan beers and spirits available for delivery. Susan can even organize private in-home tastings on request.
Location: 24 Forth Street, Edinburgh EH1 3LH (New Town)
Unique advantage: Every single bottle sold or poured is guaranteed animal-product-free. Zero guesswork required.
Contact through vegantipples.co.uk or call +44 131 624 8914.
Hendersons: Historic Vegetarian Institution Goes Fully Vegan-Friendly
Established in 1962, Hendersons represents Edinburgh’s iconic vegetarian dining scene. The Bruntsfield location serves an entirely meat-free menu (mostly vegan) made from scratch.
But here’s what makes it relevant to wine lovers: the entire wine list is vegan-friendly.
Hendersons works closely with Alliance Wine to source organic and vegan-certified wines. They even stock local Scottish fruit wines from Cairn O’ Mohr. Diners can order any glass or bottle worry-free, knowing no animal fining agents were used.
Summer 2023 brought special significance. For their 60th anniversary, they held a celebratory vegan wine tasting event led by Alliance Wine, featuring sustainable vegan wines paired with canapés.
The restaurant’s ethos? “Eat better, live better.” This philosophy extends from creative vegan dishes to the drinks accompanying them.
Location: 7-13 Barclay Place, Edinburgh EH10 4HW (Bruntsfield)
Perfect for: Wine-paired vegan meals in a stylish yet casual setting. The historic significance adds depth to the experience.
Reserve at hendersonsrestaurant.com or call 0131 202 1635.
Mara Wine Bar: Vegan Pairings by Leith’s Shore
Mara occupies a cozy spot on The Shore in Leith, known for warm hospitality and serious wine selection.
Not exclusively vegan? True. But very vegan-friendly, with roughly a third of their menu vegetarian and many dishes veganizable on request.
Here’s what grabbed attention: In 2025, Mara partnered with Majestic Wines to host a special Vegan Wine Tasting evening. For £40, guests enjoyed five expertly curated wines matched with five vegetable-forward tasting dishes.
Each wine was chosen to complement seasonal vegan bites, demonstrating the “power of plants” in food and wine pairing. The event drew praise for creativity and indicated Mara’s commitment to accommodating vegan wine lovers.
Outside special events? Staff remain knowledgeable about which wines on their global list are vegan. Many small producers on their list use natural winemaking, avoiding animal-based fining by default.
The waterfront location doesn’t hurt. Laid-back vibe. Views of boats and historic buildings.
Location: 58 The Shore, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6RA
Watch for: Their “What’s On” calendar occasionally features tastings and community nights in their upstairs function space.
Book at mara.bar or call 0131 357 1869.
Edinburgh Wine School: Learn While You Taste
Want education with your wine? Edinburgh Wine School offers periodic classes focused on plant-based pairings.
Their “Vegan Bites & Wine Pairing” evening runs two hours and features approximately seven wines from around the globe. Each pairs with a small vegan dish or bite.
Think tomato bruschetta with Italian red. Vegan cheese with Cabernet. Spiced pakora with Gewürztraminer.
As you enjoy these combinations, instructors walk you through food and wine pairing principles as they apply to vegan ingredients. How do you pair wines with umami-rich vegetables? What works with dairy-free cheeses?
They also explain what makes wine certified vegan, covering fining agents, organic and biodynamic practices, and low-intervention winemaking.
Classes typically happen in central venues like hotel function rooms and welcome all knowledge levels. The atmosphere stays friendly and sociable. You’ll leave equipped with tips for recreating pairings at home.
Sessions held: Edinburgh city centre venues (check website for specifics)
Ideal for: Anyone wanting to understand the why behind successful pairings, not just taste them.
Contact at localwineschool.com/edinburgh or email edinburgh@localwineschool.com.
Little Rascal: Natural Wine Haven in Corstorphine
Tucked in the Corstorphine neighborhood, Little Rascal focuses on lo-fi, organic, and biodynamic wines.
What does this mean for vegans? Many bottles are made naturally without fining or filtration. This approach creates inherently vegan wines.
Little Rascal’s online shop lets you filter wines by “Vegan” tag, indicating conscious effort to highlight animal-friendly choices. The bar offers rotating selections of low-intervention wines by glass or bottle, all available for takeaway.
Food accompaniment? Simple small plates like olives, almonds, bread with olive oil. While the cheese board isn’t fully vegan, plenty of vegan nibbles exist. Marinated olives. Nuts. Occasionally plant-based specials.
The atmosphere feels intimate and neighborhood-centric. Elegant wooden bar. Knowledgeable staff happy to discuss their eclectic wines.
You might discover an orange wine or pet-nat here that you won’t find elsewhere in Edinburgh. Many offerings are vegan by design.
Location: 113D St. John’s Road, Edinburgh EH12 7SB (Corstorphine)
Worth noting: It’s off the usual tourist path but worth the trip west for the unique selection.
Visit littlerascalwinebar.co.uk or call 0131 334 6430.
WineKraft: Ethical Wine Shop with Tasting Room
WineKraft represents the reimagining of local wine retail. Born from the team behind Good Brothers Wine Bar, this New Town shop opened in 2021 with a clear focus: ethical, sustainable, and responsibly made wines.
In practice? Shelves stocked with organic, biodynamic, and vegan-friendly wines from small producers worldwide. The curation emphasizes natural wine, with 450+ boutique wines and spirits prioritizing sustainability.
You can browse and buy bottles. Often you can taste before buying. They sometimes have an Enomatic machine or open bottles for sampling. Thursdays bring special “fine wine by the glass”