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.
The Hot Brands list recognises imported brands to the United States that experienced double-digit growth in 2024, including 17 fast-growing brands from the wine category.
Whitehaven has been exporting to the US since 2004, when its first shipment totalled 5,000 cases.
With more than 600,000 cases of Whitehaven wine imported in 2024, there is continued momentum.
Whitehaven Chief Executive Steve Ross says growth has come off its peak, "which in some ways is not a bad thing for us".
Looking forward there is a lot of uncertainty with trade policy, "but we still seem to be in good place", he says. "There is a lot of talk about wine being in decline and overall that is true, but we are finding that cool climate wines, white wines and wines selling at more premium price levels are still doing ok. It does seem to be more the commercial end that is suffering."
Things are also looking positive in other markets, including Canada, Ireland and Asia.
"We are cautiously optimistic, and it is just a reminder that we need to make sure we stick with what has made Marlborough famous in the first place. And that is delivering on that quality and something with a point of difference."
