September 25, 2019 was a memorable day for New Zealand wine. On this day 200 years ago, grapes were planted for the first time in New Zealand. It is said that there are few countries in the world where the date when grapes were first planted is clearly recorded.
First vineyard starts in Kerikeri, Bay of Islands
Kerikeri, located in the Bay of Islands in the northern part of New Zealand's North Island, is home to New Zealand's oldest stone building, The Stone Store, and it is recorded that the first grapes were planted in the rich soil nearby.
Later, in the 19th and early 20th centuries, many Europeans came to New Zealand and planted vineyards all over the country, which led to the diversification of New Zealand wines. In the second half of the 20th century, New Zealand wines began to receive international recognition, first with Sauvignon Blanc winning awards, and then with Pinot Noir also receiving high praise.
New Zealand wine continues to grow while protecting the environment
Currently, there are more than 700 wineries and 600 grape growers in New Zealand, and people who are passionate about winemaking are supporting the wine industry and contributing to its development. Various efforts are being made to further grow the industry over the next 200 years.
One such initiative was Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand (SWNZ), which was established in the 1990s.
SWNZ is
- Presenting a model for environmentally friendly grape growing and winery
- Better quality assurance from vineyard to bottle
- Meeting consumer demands while also being environmentally conscious
It is an organization that carries out the following activities:
Currently, 98% of New Zealand's wineries are certified by this organization, ensuring sustainable winemaking that protects the country's natural environment.
New Zealand wine exports have now grown to NZ$1.8 billion (approximately JPY 124 billion), and the world is looking forward to seeing even greater growth.
To celebrate 200 years of New Zealand wine, various content such as detailed history is now available. Unfortunately, it is only available in English and Chinese, but New Zealand wine lovers should have fun just looking at the photos.
