New Zealand is on the brink of introducing geographic boundaries for its wine regions and sub-regions. Although the Geographic Indications (Wines and Spirits) Registration Act 2006 has been approved by Parliament, it will be some time before growers can rely on it to define boundaries in any practical sense. It may be another year or two before the regulations controlling the mechanics of the Act are thrashed out and become law. A Geographic Indication (GI) is legally defined as the name of a wine growing region or locality to which a given quality, or reputation, or some other characteristic of the wine or spirit is essentially attributable. In other words, the GI is not just a place name, but must also be associated with some specific attributes in relation to wine. These attributes may include such things as history, reputation or structure.

New Zealand is the last major wine coutry that is yet to implement some system for defining geographic boundaries. There are compelling reasons why the country needs such a system. Defining boundaries will provide a clear basis for winegrowers to pool their resources and promote the individuality and strengths of their region. Defining boundaries will also set clear parameters for consumer information. New Zealand also has international treaty obligations. Without GIs, the country is vulnerable to sanctions being put in place by countries that might decide to accept only registration-based GIs.

Dr John Barker has become something of an expert on the pending boundary organisations. As manager of policy and membership for NZ Winegrowers, the organization for the country’s winemakers and grape growers, he’s followed the development of the Geographic Indications (Wines and Spirits) Registration Act 2006 from its embryonic beginning when it was first planned to set boundaries for all agricultural products. Thankfully, the focus was later narrowed to wines and spirits. Barker explained that New Zealand has used GI for some time; it’s just that they are not governed by a registration system. He’s spent a great deal of time encouraging grape growers to think about formally registered boundaries and admits that there are not many places that have reached their ultimate boundary. Barker’s highest priority is to register the country, then the North Island and South Island as GI. After that, each of the regions and stand-alone subregions will earn registration. Waiheke Island is an example of a stand-alone subregion because its boundary is clearly defined by the sea.

New Zealand’s GI system will be similar to the Australian program in that it is less restrictive in terms of winemaking and viticultural practices than the European Appellation system. The only restriction operating in both countries is that the GI must include at least 85% of grapes from that region. The New Zealand system will be run by the Intellectual Property Office, where Australia’s is governed by the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation. Local winemakers have expressed some concern that officials at the Intellectual Property Office are not experts in wines and spirits, although they will no doubt work with industry experts.

The introduction of Australia’s GI system sparked a number of high profile court battles. Barker says the delay in introducing the new legislation has given him time to encourage groups within sub-regions to reach a consensus before formal applications are made. “It’s my job to keep the lawyers out of it,” he explained with a grin. Roger Parkinson, owner and winemaker of Martinborough’s Nga Waka wines, agrees that there is likely to be healthy debate.

There was, he says, spirited discussion between Martinborough’s 50 winemakers and grape growers before they agreed on a boundary for their sub-region three years ago. It took 12 months for them to define a boundary, but they’re now ready to lodge their application. The introduction of GI promises to be a moderately painful process, but if just one overseas market uses the absence of an official GI as a trade barrier, the pain could be considerably greater.