Proxies FAQs
For frequently asked questions covering all things Acid League, please see our general FAQ page.
What are Proxies?
Proxies are layered blends of juices, teas, spices, bitters, and more with all the complexity of great wine, and none of the alcohol. Proxies don’t necessarily taste exactly like any specific wine, but they’re made to look, feel, and drink like wine. They have acidity, texture, tannin, and spice. They’re designed to pair with food and be enjoyed in wine glasses. Wine, but not.
How do Proxies differ from non-alcoholic wine?
Conventional non-alcoholic wines are made by stripping the alcohol out of wine (usually cheap bulk wine, at that). The result is a drink that tastes next-to-nothing like the real thing. They’re sweet, lack complexity, and don’t pair well with food. Proxies, by contrast, are designed from the start with flavor and the ability to pair with food in mind. They’re designed to be an effective proxy, not a pale imitation. Instead of dealcoholized plonk, we craft layered blends of juices, teas, spices, bitters, and more. More details on the difference between Proxies and conventional non-alcoholic wine are available here.
Do Proxies contain alcohol?
Proxies are non-alcoholic beverages. Just like every kombucha, foods containing vanilla extract, or even overripe bananas, they may contain trace amounts of alcohol. Our Proxies always fall below 0.5% alcohol by volume, the threshold to be classified as non-alcoholic according to the FDA and other regulatory agencies.
Do Proxies age like wine?
Conventional wine is shelf-stable and able to age thanks in large part to the alcohol working as a natural preservative. Proxies are shelf-stable, but best consumed within three months. Most non-alcoholic beverages that do not need to be stored in the refrigerator are hot-filled, meaning they’re heated to 194°F at the time of bottling to sterilize the product. This does a good job of killing off any microorganisms in the drink, but also kills complex flavor. We don’t hot fill—instead, we rely on acidity and the minimal amount of preservatives necessary to keep your Proxies fresh and complex. Currently, we treat Proxies like almost all wines and employ sulfites at bottling for preservation. We’re constantly testing our product with the goal to eliminate all non-natural preservatives while still maintaining all the complex, fresh flavor.
How should I store my Proxies?
Proxies have a nine month shelf-life and are best stored in a cool dark place like you would with wine. Enjoy within one week after opening. Pop the cork back in and refrigerate after opening.
How should I serve my Proxies?
Proxies are best enjoyed in wine glasses and are designed to pair with food. For optimal flavor—or if you’re just feeling fancy—try decanting your Proxies before serving.
How do I redeem my Proxies gift card?
Click here to redeem your gift card.
Can I customize my Proxies box?
At this time, there are no substitutions or customizations available.
Where do you ship?
Proxies are available for shipment throughout the United States and Canada.
When will my Proxies ship?
Whether you purchase a one-time order or are a new subscriber, you will be charged at time of purchase and your order will ship within five days.
You will receive an email with tracking information once your order ships, but please allow five to seven business days for delivery excluding delays due to Covid-19 or other factors outside our control.
Can I cancel or pause my subscription?
If you’d like to cancel or pause your subscription, please email your order number and request to ferment@acidleague.com ahead of your next charge date.
What’s your return policy?
If anything is wrong with your order, please email ferment@acidleague.com within 14 days of receiving your goods, and we'll make it right! If your product is broken, please include a photo of the broken item in the packaging.
Are Proxies available in stores or restaurants?
Proxies are available only through our online store, as well as select restaurants and retail stores. For more information on where else to find us, please follow us on Instagram and sign up for our newsletter.
Are Proxies safe to drink during pregnancy?
We work hard to ensure that our Wine Proxies are free of harmful bacteria and safe for everyone to consume. To create the best flavor possible, Proxies do contain a portion of cold-pressed juice. While these juices are not pasteurized in the traditional sense, we always bring them to a low pH that kills off any bacteria such as salmonella, listeriosis, and E. coli before blending them with our other ingredients.
While Proxies are non-alcoholic beverages, they may contain trace amounts of alcohol, just like kombucha, or even foods containing vanilla extract. Proxies always fall below 0.5% alcohol by volume (the threshold to be classified as non-alcoholic according to the FDA and other regulatory agencies).
We are mindful that people make different choices when it comes to pregnancy, so if you’re concerned please consult your healthcare provider for more guidance.
Are Proxies vegan and gluten-free?
All Proxies are vegan and gluten-free.
Do Proxies contain caffeine?
Most Proxies contain some form of caffeinated tea, meaning they typically have about 1/4 the amount of caffeine as would be in a similar size serving of tea.
Can I get more nutritional information on Proxies?
Find nutrition info for a few of our current releases below. Most of our Proxies have a nutritional profile similar to these:
Tasting Set and 4-pack nutrition:
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