Major initiative launched for New Zealand’s wine writers

For the first time since wine writing became a profession in this country, an organisation has been established to encourage excellence and integrity in wine writing and to provide a platform for the exchange of information amongst its members.

Wine Writers of New Zealand is an organisation open to authors, broadcasters, journalists and lecturers, in fact anyone professionally engaged in communicating about wine in this country.

"Wine is one of New Zealand's most fashionable, fast-expanding industries and the countless consumers who love a glass of sauvignon blanc or pinot noir with their dinner often also enjoy reading about wine” says founding member Michael Cooper MA ONZM. “Media coverage of the subject is intensifying, so now is a good time to launch a body that is committed to encouraging excellence and integrity among the country's wine writers."

The impetus for this initiative stemmed from recent commentary in the wine press and social media regarding the pros and cons, ethics and otherwise, of wine critics/reviewers being paid by producers to review their wines.

A ‘Declaration of Independence’ was circulated amongst the current New Zealand wine media on Friday June 17th and it was immediately signed by a large number of writers. These writers have declared that they do not accept payments from wine producers for published reviews, and that they’re also committed to maintaining high standards of independence and integrity in their field.

“I am very excited to be part of this initiative which will hopefully be a collective voice for issues affecting the wine industry” adds founding member Jane Skilton MW. “Raising the standard of wine journalism and promoting independence can only be to the benefit of consumers and the industry as a whole."