Corporate & Commercial

Production of wine

Once the property and human resources are in place, the serious business of producing top quality wine may begin.

The production of wine in New Zealand is subject to numerous legislative controls designed to protect consumers. The legislation aims to protect consumers, both in terms of prevention of personal injury through unsafe product composition or unhygienic manufacture, and protection from misleading and deceptive information about a wine.

Winemakers should comply in all respects with the requirements for producing wine in New Zealand, but should also be aware that wine produced for export may be subject to additional international standards and controls.

Grape Supply Contracts

A grape supply contract formalises an agreement between a grape grower and winery company, whereby the grape grower supplies grapes of an agreed standard and quality to a winery company in accordance with the winery's commercial requirements.

A grape supply contract is one of the most significant contractual arrangements for a grower and winery, because it represents the grower's source of income and the grapes are the raw material for the winery. Ensuring the grapes are of premium quality is vital to both parties.

This section sets out a list of terms commonly found in grape supply contracts and comments on those terms where relevant. This list is not a replacement for obtaining advice on specific grape supply contracts.

Order a full copy of the Winegrowers' Legal Guide.

Enquiries and information

For more information about the Winegrowers' Legal Guide, please contact:

David McGregor
Partner, Auckland

Philip Gregan
NZ Winegrowers