Editorial: Major Challenges Facing the Wine Industry

On the other side of the scales, the 2025 season looks like a cracker in many regions, and New Zealand wine’s reputation remains strong, says Fabian. That’s borne out by the recent New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW) Brand Health Tracking webinar, showing New Zealand’s sustainability credentials, built over 30 years of Sustainable Winegrowing
New Zealand, are invaluable currency in modern markets. NZW General Manager Brand Charlotte Read says New Zealand wine was “singled out” at the various presentations she attended at Prowein in March, “particularly for its value growth seen in many export markets around the world in a very tough market, as well as our strong reputation for our sustainability efforts”.

The brand of New Zealand wine was undoubtedly boosted by the wonderful Pinot Noir New Zealand 2025, held in Ōtautahi Christchurch in February, with an array of influential international visitors soaking up the extraordinary manaakitanga of the event, including Monique Fiso’s modern style hangi, steaming succulently in the grounds of the Christchurch Town Hall. Themes from te ao Māori – Tūrangawaewae, Kaikiakitanga, and Ā Mua – were used to guide an extraordinary event, anchored in Aotearoa, drawing glowing responses from international media who also travelled our wine regions. “I’ve returned to the UK feeling like a portal has been opened to your world-class Pinot Noir on a level that I could barely have dreamt of,” says British wine writer and presenter Olly Smith. “And that open portal has travelled home with me.” That’s a response worth raising a glass to!

Sophie Preece

EDITOR