WELCOME

New Zealand provides an ideal growing environment for fruit and is acknowledged as a leader in international fruit growing. Fruit winemakers are now poised to achieve similar recognition using the country’s abundant fruit to produce a variety of high quality, added value products.

The Fruit Winemakers Association was formed in 1985 to promote excellence in fruit winemaking and help direct an industry rich in potential. The members are highly skilled and take great pride in producing the highest quality fruit wines, ciders, liqueurs and fruit juices.

The Association holds an annual National Competition, which generated intense rivalry and levels of achievement envied the world over. The first International competition was held in 1995, which attracted fruit wine and cider makers from Australia, Germany, Canada, Fiji, Ireland and Israel. This was a great success, so from 1997 the Association decided that all competitions be open to overseas entries.