Committed to protecting the places that make our famous wines.
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. It means consumers can trust that their bottle of New Zealand wine has been made with respect for our natural world and for our people.
Our wine industry may be one of the youngest in the world, but sustainability has always been a guiding principle. Right from the start, industry leaders recognised the extraordinary value of our natural resources and the need to protect them. In 1995, after considerable research, Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand (SWNZ) was launched. Fast forward almost 30 years and this independently audited programme continues to demonstrate our commitment to a sustainable future.
As one of the first sustainability programmes to be established in the global wine sector, today 96% of New Zealand’s vineyard producing area is SWNZ certified and 10% operates under recognised certified organic programmes. With that level of participation, our sustainability credentials are unique and respected around the world.
Our sustainability focus areas include Climate Change, Water, Waste, Plant Protection, Soil and People. These align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs have a global focus, speak an international language, and are a call for action in areas that require global attention. These focus areas encapsulate the areas of sustainability that are most relevant for our industry and are where we have the greatest ability to make a positive impact.
We are committed to mitigating climate change and reducing emissions through our industry goal to be net zero by 2050. In 2024 we released a practical roadmap to help guide the path ahead. We’re focused on being a world leader in efficient water use, achieving zero waste to landfill by 2050, and protecting and enhancing the health of our soils. For our people, we continue to lead the way as an innovative and diverse industry that has opportunities for the future.
Sustainability is the passion of our people, running through all that we are, and all that we do. As we acknowledge the significant milestone in 2025 of three decades of Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand, we know there is more work to be done. We believe that every little bit counts, and together we can achieve extraordinary things.
