New Zealand wine industry’s report shows commitment to sustainability

New Zealand Winegrowers released its 2025 New Zealand Winegrowers Sustainability Report on 14 April 2025. The report provides a snapshot of the NZ wine industry, highlighting empirical data collected from its members that are certified by Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand (SWNZ) — encapsulating 98% of vineyard area and around 90% of wine produced.

The measures are set against the industry’s sustainability goals: climate change, water, people, soil, waste and plant protection.

The report says: “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 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.

Dr Edwin Massey, General Manager Sustainability at New Zealand Winegrowers said, “We can see from the data, that more of our members are implementing specific initiatives to minimise their carbon footprint.”

“Once you start measuring your emissions, you can then make informed business decisions around future changes and investment,” Massey said.

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, Massey said the report shows that “100% of wineries and 92% vineyards are optimising their water use through conservation and reduction”.

To further support progress towards its water goal, in the past year NZW has upskilled its members. “New industry guidelines offer members practical ways to mitigate the already low impact of viticulture on freshwater. This month, we will complete the pilot for a digital tool that in the future can integrate with the SWNZ programme when Freshwater Farm Plan regulations come into place. This will minimise duplication, save time and costs for grape growers”.

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 is designed to bridge 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.

Image credit: iStock.com/tobiasjo