The New Zealand wine industry remains committed to a sustainable future, a vision that industry leaders have been championing for over 30 years. Despite current turbulent global trade winds, the reputation of the New Zealand wine industry for high-quality, distinctive, and sustainable wines remains a constant, and the industry is focused on protecting its hard-won reputation for generations to come.
Released today, the 2025 New Zealand Winegrowers Sustainability Report takes the pulse of the industry’s progress with sustainability. The report provides a compelling snapshot, 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.
“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”, states the report.
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 says, “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”, says Dr Massey. 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, Dr Massey says 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 bridges 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.
The 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 in putting sustainability first.
To read the 2025 Sustainability Report, visit: nzwine.com.
-Ends-
For further information contact:
Dr Edwin Massey
General Manager Sustainability
New Zealand Winegrowers
edwin.massey@nzwine.com
Chrissy Powlesland
Communications Manager
New Zealand Winegrowers
021 331 398
chrissy.powlesland@nzwine.com
Images available here
EDITOR NOTES:
2025 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
- Download the 2025 Report here
- Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand (SWNZ) celebrates 30 years in 2025, more here
- SWNZ is a user pays and independently audited programme, more here
- 98% of vineyard area and 90% of wine produced in New Zealand are certified by SWNZ
- The wine industry’s sustainability goals (Climate Change, Water, People, Soil, Waste, and Plant Protection) align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) developed in 2015. The UN SDGs are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all, as they seek to mobilise global efforts around a common set of targets.
NEW ZEALAND WINE
- New Zealand wine is exported to more than 100 countries
- New Zealand produces just over 1% of the world’s wine
- New Zealand wine is New Zealand’s sixth largest export good
- New Zealand wine exports for 2024 were $2.1 billion
- View reports and statistics here
NEW ZEALAND WINEGROWERS
New Zealand Winegrowers is the national organisation for the country's grape and wine sector, with over 600 grower members and 700 winery members. nzwine.com
SUSTAINABLE WINEGROWING NEW ZEALAND (SWNZ)
Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand (SWNZ) is owned and operated by New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW). SWNZ is based on continuous improvement and alignment with standards and benchmarks, which ensures members meet best practice guidelines for sustainability in the vineyard and winery. SWNZ certifies all parts of the New Zealand-based production chain including vineyards, wineries, bottling facilities, and brands. Uniting both winegrowers and winemakers sets this programme apart as the only one of its kind around the world. The SWNZ programme is based on a framework of six key focus areas of sustainability (drawing on the UN Sustainable Development Goals as a foundation): Climate Change; Water; Waste; Soil; Plant Protection; and People.