NZ Vintage 2026

2026 tops off 3 years of excellent wine vintages. 

2026 tops off 3 years of excellent vintages. With a January start in the north, it all points to an increasingly early start for future New Zealand vintages. The key element in this year’s vintage was a lengthy, settled “Indian summer” enabling all regions to produce quality fruit. Indications are, however, that despite the high quality, production will be down as yields will be lower and international demand for wine is falling. On a more positive note, New Zealand wine exports topped NZ$2.10 billion in 2025.