NZ wine industry commits to sustainability
29 Aug 2007
New Zealand’s wine industry aims to be the first in the world to go
sustainable, and has issued a draft sustainability policy to be implemented by
vintage 2012.
The pioneering set of industry standards, known as Sustainable Winegrowing
New Zealand (SWNZ), provides a framework for companies to improve their
performance in terms of environment, social, and economic sustainability, in
both the vineyard and the winery.
All wine will need to be produced under independently-audited schemes, and
those that do not comply will be unable to participate in key industry events
like the London Annual Trade Tasting and the Air New Zealand Wine Awards.
Key long term strategy
NZ Winegrowers chief executive Philip Gregan believes that sustainability is
a key long term strategic issue for the on-going success of the industry.
"We believe sustainability will be the passport to trade. Our view is that if
growers and wineries are not able to produce and market wine sustainably, then
ultimately there will be no place for them in the international market," Gregan said.
World leading sustainability
The New Zealand wine industry is already a world leader in terms of
sustainability, re-use of energy, and recycling.
As a result, New Zealand
wines shipped to Europe by sea can have a smaller carbon footprint than wines
actually produced in Europe.
Many New Zealand
wineries - including Ata Rangi, Mission Estate and Pernod Ricard - have committed to working towards sustainability.
Pernod Ricard
At Pernod Ricard, one of New Zealand’s largest wine companies, a sustainable
framework was embraced in all vineyards from the outset.
Pernod Ricard, who use
sustainable practices to regulate irrigation and to monitor pests and disease in
the vineyards, have reduced water usage, and cut costs of
chemicals, labour and machinery without compromising the quality of the
grapes.
Pernod Ricard’s New Zealand vineyards manager, Tony Hoksbergen,
believes it’s the most viable approach for the industry and that it makes sense
economically, reassures their customers, illustrates their innovation and, above
all, is good for the environment, the vineyard staff and the community.
More information:
New Zealand wine industry
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