Next year is the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand (SWNZ) programme.
We are proud to see its success. Te Mata as one of the five wineries to spearheaded by five wineries this in the late 20th century and the first to have vineyards and winery accredited under the system.
“The industry leaders were passionate and innovative. They could see the opportunities for an export-focused wine industry. They knew the importance of sustainability to ensure New Zealand wine would be internationally renowned for its premium reputation. They also believed the way forward was to unite winegrowers and winemakers. Working together would ensure success.” – Fabian Yukich, chair of New Zealand Winegrowers
SWNZ has assumed a role of major importance in the nation’s burgeoning wine industry, with 96% of vineyards now certified as sustainably farmed.
The NZ Winegrowers body also highlights that exports of New Zealand wine exceeded $2b in value in 2024 – a significant gain over the 2002 figure of $246m per annum – with that growth being underpinned by the industry’s sustainable approach.
The SWNZ programme focuses on six key metrics: climate change, water, waste, plant protection, soil and people.
Images courtesy of Te Mata Estate Vineyard Manager @carlgundersen