Buyers could be faced with a shortage of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc from the 2015 vintage.
New Zealand Winegrowers chief executive Philip Gregan said the dearth of what has become one of the UK's favourite white wines could result from a 27% fall in the country's overall vintage after a cool spring.
The vintage of 326,000 tonnes of grapes followed a record crop in 2014.
But Gregan added that wine quality could go some way to compensating for volume, after favourable ripening conditions through the summer.
"We expect vibrant, fruit driven wines which are true expressions of our grape growing regions," said Gregan.
"Although there has been a smaller crop, the wines from the 2015 vintage are sure to further enhance New Zealand's reputation as a world class premium wine producer. Wineries will manage the market implications of the smaller vintage and the precious supply as best they can."