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Certified organic producers are permitted to use some ‘naturally occurring’ substances, such as sulphur and copper, pyrethrum, neem and even newer products such as the biological caterpillar control, Bacillus thuringiensis (sold under various brand names such as Dipel® or Novasol®). Because even these natural chemicals may be toxic to other life, organic producers use even these tools carefully and as a last resort.

Most organic growers use (and sometimes overuse) sulphur for powdery and sulphur and copper for downy mildew. These substances readily achieve disease control in some areas, if the basic requirements of the vine have been provided.

Some alternatives are very simple, such as milk sprays for powdery mildew, and some may be high tech, such as Tricodex, for example, which is an Israeli made biological control for Botrytis. Some organic producers use home made products such as Casuarina tea or biodynamic preparations such as 501.

Light spraying oils (white oil) are also permitted for disease and pest control.

Organic growers may not use genetically engineered organisms, but otherwise generally adopt the best practice biological control options for their industry and location.