NZW sets 2025–26 wine and grape levy rates
On 18 June 2025, the New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW) Board set the following levy rates for the year 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026.
After a two year pause on the Central Otago Burgundy Exchange, six stagiaires (interns), have set off for France, in the largest contingent since the exchange was established in 2006.
Central Otago Winegrowers’ Association (COWA) General Manager Jake Tipler says there were a lot of applications from members this year, with winegrowers keen to get travelling again. “Experiencing a vintage in another wine growing region is a fantastic educational and cultural experience and they will bring this newfound knowledge back to their roles in Central Otago.”
Promote Dunstan (using proceeds donated from the Clyde Wine and Food Festival) and French cooperage Tonnellerie Cadus provided funding to assist with travel costs to Burgundy. Rochelle Young from Prophet’s Rock is one of this year’s stagiaires: “A compelling part of the winemaking journey is connecting with the local community, discovering mentors along the way and in turn passing on knowledge, skills and enthusiasm for our craft,” she says. “I am looking forward to cultivating a greater understanding of and appreciation for the culture, history and traditions of Burgundy and bringing back different perspectives, philosophies and bottles to share.”
Rochelle will be joined on the exchange by Rosa Cockburn from Lapis Lazuli Vineyard, Tiffany Da Silva from Peregrine Wines, James Dobbs from Rippon, Molly Hermann from Felton Road, and Ben Leen from Amisfield.
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