New Zealand Winegrowers New Zealand Winegrowers aims to represent, promote and research the national and international interests of the New Zealand wine industry. New Zealand Winegrowers was established in March 2002 as the joint initiative of the New Zealand Grape Growers Council, representing the interests of New Zealand’s independent grapegrowers, and the Wine Institute of New Zealand, representing New Zealand wineries. New Zealand Winegrowers is governed by a Board of Directors of 12, comprising 7 representatives from the Institute and 5 representatives from the Council. New Zealand Winegrowers is funded by levies collected by the Council and the Institute as well as from user pays activities and sponsorships. Winemakers and grape growers are members of New Zealand Winegrowers as a result of their membership of either the Grape Growers Council or the Wine Institute. As a new organisation, New Zealand Winegrowers will seek to build on the past achievements of both the Institute and the Council. The strategic direction of New Zealand Winegrowers will be decided in coming months. It is likely there will be high degree of continuity with the existing activities of the Council and the Institute, but there are also likely to be new initiatives to further represent, promote and research the interests of the New Zealand grape and wine industry. Wine Institute Of New Zealand Inc. The Wine Institute was established in 1975 by and for New Zealand winemakers. The role of the Wine Institute is to promote and represent the national and international interests of the New Zealand wine industry and New Zealand wine makers. Currently the Institute has 673 member wineries. The Institute is recognised in statute and is funded under the provisions of the Wine Makers Levy Act (WMLA) 1976. The WMLA provides for a levy to be placed on New Zealand wine sold by licensed winemakers, and imposes certain requirements on the Institute, including in respect of the expenditure of the levy, accounting for such expenditure, and changes to the Institute’s rules. The Institute is governed by a Board of 10 winemakers elected from among 3 categories of members, being small, medium and large wineries based on their volume of sales. The Institute’s objectives in the period 2000 - 2005 are focused into five areas - the legislative environment, provision of information, research, and promotion through public relations and organisation of events and activities. Through NZ Winegrowers our activities in these areas are concentrated where the Institute can deliver most benefit to the industry, specifically: - In the legislative environment the focus is on national and international wine-specific issues. Short term revising industry legislation is a priority. - In terms of information the focus is on delivery of well-researched, accurate and balanced wine-specific information. - With research the focus is on identification and delivery of ‘green solutions’ (where practical) to nationally important viticultural and resource management issues. - Public Relations focus on increased generic activity in key markets, and ensuring information is accurate, well researched and balanced, and builds on our core assets and values. - An extensive range of promotional events and activities are organised, with the focus on key markets, and on continually ensuring the events support the quality brand image of the New Zealand wine industry. The Institute formally reports to its members, and the Minister of Agriculture, in its Annual Report, which outlines our progress in these key areas. We also produce a range of other publications cataloguing key industry statistics, initiatives and developments. New Zealand Grape Growers Council Inc. The New Zealand Grape Growers Council was established in 1968 by and for New Zealand Grape Growers. The Council is a national organisation with strong links to its regional base. Currently the Council has in excess of 600 levy paying members. The Council is funded under the provisions of the Commodities Levy Act 1990. A wine grape levy order has been made pursuant to this Act which imposes a levy on the farm gate price of all grapes sold for winemaking purposes in New Zealand. At the current time the rate of the levy is 0.75% of the selling price. The Council is governed by a Board of 10 comprising a President and Vice President and regional representatives elected from Gisborne, Marlborough, Hawkes Bay, South Island minor regions and North Island minor regions. Regional representatives are elected by and from among the members of the regional grower associations. Through NZ Winegrowers the Council conducts an extensive range of activities on behalf of its members. In recent years Council activities have focused on research, collection and dissemination of information of value to its members, and representations to Government on important industry issues such as bio-security, education, health and safety, and resource management. NZ Winegrowers also organises the major industry conference each year, the Bragato Conference. The Bragato Conference is a major forum for the dissemination of the results of industry research and also features the Bragato Wine Awards and the Silver Secateurs Pruning Competition. Becoming a member of the … … Wine Institute of New Zealand Inc. Membership of the Wine Institute is open only to winemakers producing wine for commercial sale. To join, contact should be made through Gill Mirfin, Membership Administrator, NZ Winegrowers - Tel: 09 3065528, Fax: 09 3022969, email: gill@nzwine.com … New Zealand Grape Growers Council Membership of the New Zealand Grape Growers Council is automatic for grape growers who pay the wine grape levy. Levy Payers are issued with a grower number – grower numbers can be obtained by contacting Gillian Mirfin, Membership Administrator, NZ Winegrowers, phone 09-3065528, fax 09-3022969, email gill@nzwine.com We look forward to hearing from you Membership of the regional grower associations is separate from membership of the New Zealand Grape Growers Council. Contact details for the regional associations can be found in the contacts section of this website.   Winegrowers' Legal Guide, February 2007 A guide if you are looking to establish or purchase a Winery.   Vineyard Establishment A guide if you are looking to establish or purchase a Vineyard.