Sustainability snapshot of NZ wine industry

New Zealand Winegrowers has released its 2022 Sustainability Report, providing a snapshot of the New Zealand wine industry’s sustainability journey.

The report highlights how sustainability differentiates the New Zealand wine industry on the world stage by measuring and communicating local industry’s commitment and progress across six key focus areas of sustainability: climate, water, waste, soil, plant protection, and people.

It showcases data collected from the 1840 vineyards and 310 wineries certified under the Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand (SWNZ) programme – an industry-wide certification programme led by New Zealand Winegrowers. Launched in 1995, SWNZ is widely recognised as a world-leading sustainability programme and was one of the first to be established in the wine world.

Fromm Vineyard - credit: NZ Winegrowers

“Over 96% of all vineyard area in New Zealand is now certified as sustainable through the SWNZ programme, with 10% of New Zealand wineries holding organic certification,” says Dr Edwin Massey, General Manager of Sustainability at New Zealand Winegrowers. “It’s an achievement we can be proud of, but the real work is ensuring we not only sustain but elevate our position with an enduring commitment to continuous improvement.”

NZW says that the industry goal of being carbon neutral by 2050 has the New Zealand wine industry firmly committed to a low emissions pathway, and exciting developments in vineyards and in wineries are already well underway. 

“It’s the positive individual actions of New Zealand wine businesses that add up to make a big impact across the wine industry, and that are helping to deliver lasting change,” says Dr Massey.

W: Read the New Zealand Winegrowers Sustainability Report 2022 here