NZW Sustainability Report 2025
Thirty years after the launch of Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand, the wine industry's dedication to protecting soils, waterways and climate is stronger than ever.
Released in April, three years on from the inaugural report in 2022, it highlights the positive actions members are taking to leave our industry, our world and our wine in a better place.
This report has been crucial for highlighting our commitment to sustainability across a range of key export markets. The media release accompanying the report was picked up in influential publications in Australia, Canada and the United States. All these publications particularly focused on the increased efforts our members were making to respond to challenges such as protecting freshwater resources and climate change. The interest in these key markets highlights the growing trend identified by recent International Wine and Spirits Research, that younger consumers in key markets are increasingly influenced by producers’ commitments to sustainability. Overall, the report is a great way to tell our sustainability story internationally and to promote our members’ sustainability actions as a key part of the Altogether Unique New Zealand Wine brand.
It was pertinent to release the report this year, as we celebrate 30 years of our Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand (SWNZ) certification programme. SWNZ lives at the heart of our sustainability story, and the robust empirical data gathered from SWNZ members is fundamental to ensuring the validity and transparency of our sustainability claims. Our data enables these claims to be made at a national industry level. This is what makes our industry unique in the world; we can show continuous improvement at a national level and demonstrate the extent of the work our members put in to protect the people and places that make our famous wines.
The report illustrates the key role research has in accelerating progress towards our sustainability goals. It details some of the exciting research underway at Bragato Research Institute across focus areas such as climate change, soil, and plant protection. Ultimately, this research will help improve the resilience and efficiency of vineyard operations, enhancing sustainability.
The report also emphasises that every little bit counts. In essence, it is a call to action regarding the next steps our members can take on their sustainability journey. Whether that’s completing our walk-in-the-rain survey to better understand how water flows through the vineyard, engaging with EECA (Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority) on how to conduct an energy efficiency audit, or developing a vineyard biosecurity plan to reduce the risk of an incursion of a new pest or disease. Getting started is the first step.
Overall, our commitment to sustainability remains a key differentiator for New Zealand wine and is central to its premium brand proposition. This report highlights the ongoing efforts by grape growers and winemakers across the industry in putting sustainability first. Have a read, ask some questions, start a curious conversation, and plan what the next steps are for your business.
Dr Edwin Massey is NZW General Manager Sustainability
