Strong 2023 vintage will support NZ wine demand

Despite a challenging season, the New Zealand wine industry is expecting strong export value and increasing international demand over the next 12 months, according to New Zealand Winegrowers.

The total value of the New Zealand wine industry exports (year to May 2023) was $2.4 billion, up 25% on 2022.

“New Zealand wine, particularly sauvignon blanc, is going from strength to strength in the USA, as consumers appreciate the distinctive flavours, commitment to quality and know it is a unique product that they can trust,” said Philip Gregan, CEO of New Zealand Winegrowers.

This year’s vintage is expected to help the industry meet international demand, despite the harvest being down 6% on the record level 2022 vintage.

In the South Island, the 2023 vintage was well received by growers, who enjoyed better growing conditions to complete harvest. The North Island was challenged by unprecedented wet weather, but producers from both regions were largely happy with the quality of the 2023 harvest.

The 2023 vintage was overall successful, despite producers and wineries continuing to be impacted by surging production costs, an uncertain economic environment and the scarcity of skilled workers.

The wine industry has also seen the return of international wine tourists to New Zealand following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions worldwide, further boosting small wineries that only sell domestically.

Image credit: iStock.com/Liudmila Chernetska