Sustainable Winegrowing NZ™ is widely recognised as a world-leading sustainability programme and was one of the first to be established in the international wine industry in 1997.
In the mid-1990s, after considerable testing, the industry launched this holistic vineyard programme in 1997. SWNZ was designed to provide a 'best practice' model of environmental practices in the vineyard and winery.
Realising the New Zealand wine industry can achieve more together than alone, the programme was elected by grape growers across the country, followed by wineries with the establishment of sustainable winery certification standards in 2002.
Today, 98% of New Zealand’s vineyard producing area is Sustainable Winegrowing NZ™ certified, with 7% also operating under recognised certified organic programmes.
Monitor, measure, reduce... repeat.
Sustainable certification must be awarded through an independently audited programme, either by Sustainable Winegrowing NZ™ or a recognised organic or biodynamic certification.
Other recognised certification programmes include AsureQuality, BioGro-NZ, Demeter, ISO 140001.
New Zealand Winegrowers announced a bold Sustainability Policy in 2007.
Under New Zealand Winegrowers’ Sustainability Policy, wine must be made from 100% certified grapes in 100% certified winemaking facilities that are independently audited.
Meeting the requirements of the New Zealand Winegrowers Sustainability Policy allows wine businesses to enter New Zealand Winegrowers industry events, promotions and awards.
Central to our sustainability policy is a commitment to keep improving, as new research is undertaken, and new technologies are developed. We are actively involved in both areas, with an ongoing leadership role in research and development projects.
