NZW sets 2025–26 wine and grape levy rates
On 18 June 2025, the New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW) Board set the following levy rates for the year 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026.
Winning a Global Decanter Platinum Award for the Mutu Reserve Chardonnay 2021 is a tribute to the enduring spirit of the region's winemaking community, says Winemaker Kel Dixon.
Shed 530, home to the Mutu label, required a complete rebuild after the 2023 storm destroyed three buildings and most winemaking equipment. "Thankfully a majority of our latest vintage had already been moved off-site, allowing us to continue sharing these delicious Hawke's Bay wines," Kel says. "Our team's perserverance and the support from the community has been incredible and we plan to be back open this summer."
The 2022 Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Chardonnay was also awarded a Platinum medal in the awards, with Senior Winemaker Stewart Maclennan describing the wine as "unapologetic in its design, staunch in character and traditional in method. It represents the best of what we believe well treated Marlborough Chardonnay can produce".
The McArthur Ridge Southern Tor Pinot Noir 2022, from the Alexandra Basin in Central Otago, was the only New Zealand wine to win a Best in Show in the awards, with judges noting that the wine "shows why there is so much excitement about Central Otago".
McArthur Ridge International Sales Manager Jason Dellaca says the "outstanding result" is testament to the vineyard site in Alexandra and the ability and quality of the vineyard team.
Fifteen premium Marlborough wineries have found a home away from home in the region, with a shared cellar door in…
The large 2025 harvest will exacerbate the wine industry's "lingering" supply from recent vintages, New Zealand Winegrowers Chief Executive Philip…
Marlborough grape growers Will and Jayne Grigg are "cautiously optimistic" about the future of the region's wine industry.