Wine industry

New Zealand export wine growth has slowed and will soon begin to dip on lower available supply from the 2012 harvest, the latest Rabobank wine quarterly says.

New Zealand's wine industry is seeing "signs of a new optimism emerging" after enduring tough times since 2008, New Zealand Winegrowers chief executive Philip Gregan says.

Waitaki Valley wines are going on the road, buoyed by two major recent successes at international wine shows.

Queenstown-based Wai Dining Group has expanded into Gibbston with the acquisition of the Winehouse, formerly owned by Henry van Asch, of Van Asch Wines and bungy fame.

Church Road Winery in Hawkes Bay has introduced a new series of wine to celebrate its founder, Tom McDonald.

Although the New Zealand wine industry's story is a tale of expansion, winemakers feel the narrative's hard edges as sharp growing pains.

Global wine exports are continuing along a general growth trend with the exception of South Africa and Australia, as the strength of their domestic currencies dampens demand in export markets.

The Central Otago wine industry is happy to bask in some reflected glory after a local man won the national Young Viticulturist of the Year contest.

Nick Paulin made history at the weekend by being the first Central Otago person to win the national Young Viticulturist of the Year title, then headed straight back to work.

A marked increase in New Zealand's grape harvest this year has been driven by strong yields and a young vineyard estate which continues to mature.