Running 21–27 September, the ninth edition of the organic wine celebration will cater to “a new generation of consumers”, says Organic Wine New Zealand chair Nick Paulin.
As the Southern Hemisphere emerges from winter and begins its growing season, New Zealand will begin its annual festival of organic wines. The week-long event celebrates the more than 10% of New Zealand wines which hold organic certification.
Since 2016, Organic Wine Week has been organised by Organic Wine New Zealand, a grower-led organisation supported by Winegrowers New Zealand. Its remit, according to chair Nick Paulin, is more important than ever.
“Increasingly consumers are seeking out organic wine,” he says. “Organic wine consumption is growing, defying the global trend of declining wine consumption.”
The week encompasses tastings, promotions and education – in short it is an excuse to explain organic wine to consumers and get it into their glasses.
Its headline event has already been announced: Down to Earth, a walkaround tasting taking place at Jacuzzi Bar in Ponsby, Auckland on 22 September.
Bringing together producers, trade professionals and consumers, the tasting offers the chance to explore more than 75 wines from 20 producers. The line-up, which was recently announced, spans core wine regions across New Zealand.
Alongside that event, punters can expect a host of smaller-scale initiatives, such as the limited-time tasting flights offered at Takapuna Beach Cafe.
On-trend organics
A concerted emphasis on organic winemaking may prove advantageous for New Zealand’s winemakers. Although the industry’s rapid expansion is an emblematic story of the wine trade in the 21st century, in both 2024 and 2025, New Zealand reported declining exports.
Organic wine, on the other hand, remains a strong performer in a challenging market. Recent reports suggest demand is still growing in key markets, with some suggesting its market value will have more than doubled in this decade.
New Zealand may not lead the tables for organic conversion – that title goes to Spain for overall area or Austria for percentage of vineyards – but it is known for its sustainability initiatives. 98% of growers are certified under the Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand programme.
That increasing market segment looking for a less intensive, more sustainable option is therefore likely to find a wealth of choices in New Zealand.
“A new generation of consumers is emerging – people who are increasingly more environmentally conscious, who demand transparency and integrity,” explains Paulin. “They are searching for wines that tell a true story – wines that come from producers who care for the environment in which they grow their grapes by not using synthetic products, and embracing techniques in their context that work with nature and not against it.”
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