The New Zealand Winegrowers group has signed up almost 80% of the country’s vineyards to its sustainable winegrowing program, the National Business News reports.
There are 1,000 vineyards covering 22,500 hectares now involved, along with 100 wineries representing more than 75% of domestic wine production.
The Sustainable Winegrowing program was established in 1995. Last year, the association set a goal of signing up all New Zealand growers by the 2012 vintage.
New Zealand Winegrowers chief executive Philip Gregan says there is increasing importance placed on sustainably-produced products. There has also been a surge of interest in organic and biodynamic grape growing and winemaking, he adds.
