Kiwi wine producers aim to make 20% of vineyards organic

Published: 11 January, 2011

Organic wine producers in New Zealand want to account for 20% of the country's vineyard area by 2020, up from 4.5% now.

James Millton, chairman of Organic Winegrowers New Zealand, said: "By 2020, even if we only achieve 20% of the vinelands in our country as being certified organic and biodynamic, it will be a giant step towards enforcing our very precious environmental image to wine connoisseurs all over the world."

Generic body New Zealand Winegrowers is supportive of the drive towards organic viticulture.

Chief executive Philip Gregan said: "We see the expansion of organics over the next decade as an important component of the industry's commitment to sustainability and are confident it will strongly support our brand positioning in global markets."

OWNZ is a 140-member national association that says the amount of New Zealand vineyard land under organic certification has tripled in the past three years. Nationwide, nearly 1,500ha of vines on 115 vineyards are now managed organically, representing 4.5% of all vineyard land.

Printer friendly version