NZ wine industry launches WiSE

The New Zealand wine industry has launched a sustainability scorecard and “reporting tool” to allow producers to measure their level of sustainability.

With 94% of the New Zealand wine industry certified as sustainable and with an on-going campaign to make 20% of its vineyards organic by 2020, the industry has recently launched the Wine Industry Sustainability Engine (WiSE) to record and manage the sustainability levels of over 2,000 wineries from Northland to Otago.

WiSE will ensure that each winery is meeting the standards set by Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand.

Earlier this year, Sarah Szegota, communications manager for New Zealand Winegrowers, told the drinks business that the trade body was planning to “raise the bar” in its sustainability efforts through a combination of fresh targets, major research programmes and a louder communications strategy.”

Philip Manson, general manager for sustainability at NZ Winegrowers, commented on the introduction of WiSE: “This marks another step forward for the industry.

“New Zealand wineries and grape-growers are committed to growing grapes and making wine in an environmentally and socially responsible way, and have been for a long time. WiSE will make it easier for members of Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand to record, manage and report on their sustainable activities, and continue to improve their practices.”