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.
Oraterra translates to golden earth, reflecting the value of great vineyard sites in Martinborough, including that from which winemaker Wilco Lam is now making wines.
"We wanted a name that we could own rather than the previous name of the vineyard site - On Giants' Shoulders - and one of the things that kept popping up was to focus on wines that were textural and related to Martinborough as a place, rather than looking atg its specific geographic features."
The first trio of Oraterra wines, launched in late 2024, are a Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir made from the challenging 2023 vintage.
The brand is backed by German investors, who made it possible to purchase one of Martinborough's oldest vineyards on Princess Street.
"The heritage of great vineyard sites is incredibly important and I hope the Oraterra wines pay homaghe to the land from which they are made," Wilco says.
Fifteen premium Marlborough wineries have found a home away from home in the region, with a shared cellar door in…
Huntress, Novum, and The Marlborist embody an evolution of small producers in New Zealand.
As the second youngest of six kids, and the fourth generation on the land, Rippon's Nick Mills talks of his family's connection…