Domaine Thompson, Central Otago. Image courtesy New Zealand Winegrowers Inc

In 1993 New Zealand’s wine industry had a vision to increase its wine exports from $41 million to $100 million by the year 2000. That boldness over thirty years ago sowed the seeds that set the New Zealand wine industry on its way to establishing its Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand (SWNZ) programme, which will celebrate three decades in 2025.

Fabian Yukich, chair of New Zealand Winegrowers, described the industry leaders from that time as “passionate and innovative”.

“They could see the opportunities for an export-focused wine industry,” said Yukich. “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.”

In 1995, after researching international options the previous year, five enthusiastic vineyards participated in the first scorecard system to measure impacts over time and encourage positive enhancements to vineyard management. This trial resulted in the framework for the new sustainability programme that was later named Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand (SWNZ).

Fast-forward to 2002, wine exports were $246 million per annum, far exceeding the initial goal that was set in 1993. By this time over 100 vineyards were participating, and 10 wineries had joined the programme. In 2004 independent audits were introduced for vineyards, and two years later they were introduced for participating wineries.

The next milestone occurred in 2007/2008: the creation of a brand logo that could only be obtained for wine when 100% of the grapes and the winemaking facilities were certified by SWNZ. In 2008 New Zealand wine exports reached $800 million per annum.

The SWNZ programme focuses on six key areas: climate change, water, waste, plant protection, soil and people.

Over thirty years SWNZ has evolved into an independently audited programme that now certifies 96% of New Zealand’s vineyard area and approximately 90% of wine production by volume. That level of participation by both winegrowers and winemakers sets this programme apart as the only one of its kind around the world. In 2024 exports of New Zealand wine exceeded $2 billion per annum.

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