My first experience with natural wines was, like most people’s, an intriguing and eye-opening one. The wine was French and had a strikingly warm amber hue, in between orange and yellow. The smell was funky, almost yogurt-like, and the taste rich with notes reminiscent of cantaloupe and apple pie. It was unlike any other wine I’d tasted before. While there isn’t a universally accepted definition of natural wine (ask a sommelier or enthusiast and expect discourse), it’s generally agreed that the natural wine philosophy is to make wines without intervention and additives, from the initial stages of harvesting to the end product. 

Although conventional wines continue to be mainstays at dinner parties, weddings, and times when you need a pick-me-up without breaking the bank, natural wines, or “natties,” are picking up steam in Malaysia’s capital city of Kuala Lumpur (KL), buoyed by a new wave of adventurous drinkers. After our previous list covering KL’s burgeoning cocktail scene, we take a detour to the world of natural wines in KL. Though Malaysia’s tropical climate precludes making natural wine here, the new wave of hip wine bars in KL speaks to a broader trend that’s gathering steam around Asia. Experiments from China’s new independent winemakers haven’t quite reached Malaysia yet, but bottles from Japanese producers, like the Yamagata-based Grape Republic, have surfaced around town.

Gentle Giants

Housed within the rustic walls of the Zhongshan Building is Gentle Giants, a natural wine bar and bottle shop. In this small and intimate space, a long communal table commands attention as candles melting over used wine bottles are strewn over a lengthy table runner. The labels run the gamut from hyperlocal Italian orange wines and fizzy pét-nat to hard-to-find French reds. Don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations or talk shop about all things natty with the knowledgeable owners. Cheese and chips are available for you to snack on, but feel free to bring your dinner and supper here if you want something more substantial to go with your wines. Plus point: Cute shop dog!

Basic Wine Store

The name may be refreshingly self-aware, but the spread at Basic Wine Store is far from, well, anything basic. The bistro offers a curated selection of natural and boutique wines including biodynamic and organic bottles from boutique producers worldwide. Have your glass alongside European-inspired comfort fare like pasta with pork ragu and calamari with chickpeas, or tinned seafood with pickles and toast. Whether you sit al-fresco or indoors by floor-to-ceiling windows to people-watch, the store’s ambiance is warm and ideal for intimate dates, casual chats, or just a boozy get-together with some buddies.

Unwined

An early purveyor of low-intervention (a term synonymous with natural wines) wines in KL, Unwined sits at the corner of APW Bangsar, a former printing factory turned creative industrial space. The interior combines industrial elements with warm wood accents and subtle lighting, while an open-air seating area further enhances the community-focused vibe. The wine selection here varies widely but the sourcing ethos reflects traditional, organic, and biodynamic methods. Whether it’s a funky Austrian orange wine or a refreshing German riesling, you’ll be spoiled for choice. The bar doesn’t come with a food menu, though you can order from neighboring businesses for a bite.

fafaba

A recent addition to REXKL’s ensemble of vibrant emerging F&B entrepreneurs, fafaba is a unique bottle shop and fermentation bar specializing in gut-friendly tipples, with a meticulously curated menu featuring natural wines, an array of artisanal kombuchas, and Japanese sake. The interior has a semi-open layout with bright orange metalwork, moody drop-lights, and bar stools, seamlessly blending REXKL’s eclectic atmosphere with the sophistication of an intimate bar. 

Juno

Located in the quiet suburb of Bangsar, just a short drive from KL city center, Juno is chic, casual, and colorful. With wine bottles and vibrant artworks serving as a backdrop against the overall modern aesthetic of the place, Juno toes the line between a wine bar and a restaurant. Here you can drink from a curated list of classic Champagne or Barolo alongside creative small-batch makers from Japan and New Zealand. A one-page menu offers enough for a full-course meal, but keep your eyes peeled for pop-ups with local chefs.

In a city as vibrant and diverse as KL, the natural wine scene offers a refreshing, unfiltered glimpse into the world of winemaking. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or a curious newcomer, these bars invite you to explore bold flavors and thoughtful pairings that redefine the wine experience.

Banner image by Haedi Yue.