Organic Winegrowers New Zealand (OWNZ) is proud to champion Organic Wine Week, 17-23 September. The overwhelming success of last year’s inaugural celebration has convinced OWNZ to turn it into an annual institution.

With this years increased pool of participants there will be an opportunity for everyone to get involved – whether it is to purchase a bottle from an on-line retailer, drop by a wine shop for a complimentary tasting, or to secure a seat at a decadent meal celebrating the best of New Zealand.

Growers’ association Organic Winegrowers New Zealand is collaborating with the finest restaurants and retailers to craft a week of engaging events celebrating organic wines.

Events will run across New Zealand and in the heart of London, UK and will be predominantly consumer-focused. Organic Wine Week will showcase the impressive number and calibre of New Zealand organic and biodynamic wine producers, with events designed to help consumers understand – and taste – why choosing organic wine is great for both them and our landscapes.

Organic producers occupy a growing place in New Zealand’s wine industry. Over 10% of NZ wineries now hold organic certification, including many of the country’s most acclaimed wine labels.

Announced just last week, Central Otago is leading the way with 23% of their vineyard land being managed organically (17% certified organic and 6% in conversion) with promises of many more on the brink of change.

Certified organic and biodynamic growers work to create a balanced vineyard ecosystem, creating great wines without the use of synthetic chemicals in the vineyard or winery.

Many winemakers and restaurateurs are choosing organic for a combination of reasons, primarily environmental ethics and the wine quality that results.

“Our wine list is predominantly organic as we find that these wines and the people who make them resonate with our ethos in the kitchen of respecting the ingredients that we use,” says Jordon MacDonald, chef and co-owner of Auckland’s acclaimed Culprit restaurant. “These producers respect their land, environment and product and often yield superior results”.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Organic Wine Week,” says Jeff Poole, proprietor of Fine Wine Delivery. “As our customers become increasingly aware of what they are consuming and the provenance of their food and beverage, we see these more natural winemaking processes becoming mainstream in the near future. Right now, people are crying out for more information and exposure to Organic Wines, so teaming up with OWW seemed like the ‘natural’ thing to do!”

30 plus organic wineries will participate in live events for Organic Wine Week. Several of New Zealand’s top restaurants will host dinners with organic winemakers sharing their wines in person. And, nationwide, retailers are collaborating to ensure consumer education is a top priority with a mix of in-store tastings and on-line specials.

To discover the details of OWNZ’s Organic Wine Week event series and secure your ‘seat at the table’, visit their Facebook Events page for regular updates and alerts.

Why Drink Organic?

• Know what you’re consuming – Organic wines are produced with the support of natural and biological products only. No synthetic chemicals here.
• Savour each drop – Organic growers work to grow the healthiest possible grapevines. The result: flavourful wines, a true expression of the land. Great wines shine with a sense of place.
• Revel in protecting our landscapes – The many ecological benefits of organic practices include healthy soils, healthy waterways, biodiversity, and a safe place for bees and other beneficial insects.
• Support vineyard worker health – The use of natural products throughout production provides a safe and happy work environment for hard-working staff.
• Collaborate for a more stable climate – Organic farms don’t use fossil fuel-based fertilisers. They also store more carbon in soils, doing our part to counteract climate change.