New Zealand has been promoting its clean and green wine image for 30 years now and despite turbulent global trade winds, the New Zealand wine industry's reputation for high-quality, sustainable wines remains a constant.
Released mid-April, the 2025 New Zealand Winegrowers Sustainability Report takes the pulse of the industry’s progress with sustainability.
The report highlights empirical data collected from its members that are certified by Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand (SWNZ) - comprising 98% of vineyard area, and around 90% of wine produced.
The industry’s sustainability goals remain : Climate Change, Water, People, Soil, Waste, and Plant Protection.
“While we may be here for a short time, our impact can last longer than a lifetime. To our industry, sustainability means growing grapes and producing our world-famous wines in such a way that we can do so for generations to come”, the report says.
The report notes that climate change is the biggest long-term challenge facing the industry. The New Zealand Wine Roadmap to Net Zero 2050 released in 2024, highlights the need for change across key areas of the value chain to set the path to a net zero future.
“We can see from the data, that more of our members are implementing specific initiatives to minimise their carbon footprint,” says . Dr Edwin Massey, general manager for sustainability.
“Once you start measuring your emissions, you can then make informed business decisions around future changes and investment.
"SWNZ members submit data on their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. An individualised report is provided to each member, giving comparative data over time. In addition, there are also regional and national reports providing a macro benchmark for progress."
With the goal to be world leaders in water use and the protection of water quality, Dr Massey says the report shows that “100% of wineries and 92% vineyards are optimising their water use through conservation and reduction.”.
With 90% of New Zealand wine currently exported, advancing sustainability through research is paramount to the future success of the industry.
Bragato Research Institute (BRI), is a wholly owned subsidiary of New Zealand Winegrowers and bridges the gap between science and industry, focusing on and delivering research that fills knowledge gaps specific to New Zealand’s current and future grape growing and winemaking needs.
The commitment to sustainability remains a key differentiator for New Zealand wine and is central to its premium brand proposition, NZ Wine says. The report highlights the ongoing efforts by grape growers and winemakers in putting sustainability first.
To read the 2025 Sustainability Report visit: nzwine.com
Image: Marlborough vineyards
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