Wine body unites grape industry

By SIMON HENDERY

The Grape Growers Council and the Wine Institute have joined forces, forming a new organisation to push the combined interests of grape growers and winemakers.

The formation of New Zealand Winegrowers follows an agreement between the two groups last year to establish an organisation aimed at promoting and representing the interests of the entire grape and wine industry.

Grape Growers Council president Willie Crosse said the bodies had co-operated increasingly over the past decade.

"The formation of New Zealand Winegrowers ... reflects our shared commitment and dedication to advancing the interests of the whole wine industry."

Wine Institute chairman Peter Hubscher said the unified body would help the industry increase exports at a time of rapidly expanding grape supply and strong demand for New Zealand wines in international markets.

The body will have a membership of about 1000 - just over 600 grape growers and nearly 400 wineries.

It will be run by a 12-member board, with seven winery representatives elected through the Wine Institute, and five grower members elected by the council.

Most of the parent groups' activities will transfer to the body, though the institute and council will continue to carry out their statutory functions under the Wine Makers Act, Wine Makers Levy Act and Commodities Levy Act.

Industry registration and levy-raising are likely to pass to Winegrowers when a new Wine Act becomes law, probably this year.