First “Dual-Certified” New Zealand Organic Wine Debuts in Shenzhen 

The first New Zealand wine to hold both Chinese and New Zealand organic certifications has officially launched in China, marking a milestone for the country’s wine trade under the China–New Zealand organic equivalence agreement.

As China’s first bilateral organic certification arrangement, the pact gives New Zealand organic wines a clear advantage over rivals from the European Union, the United States, and Australia, whose certifications are not yet mutually recognized.

On Sept. 1, 2025, boutique Marlborough winery Tapi Wines announced a partnership with Shenzhen-based importer MoWine to release the 2025 vintage Tapi Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, now carrying China’s official organic certification label.

“This is a proud moment for us,” said Gus Altschwager, founder and winemaker at Tapi Wines. “We’re not just bringing New Zealand wine to China — we’re bringing the first New Zealand wine certified organic by the official Chinese body, COFCC. It’s an honest expression of Marlborough’s terroir. And with MoWine’s deep understanding of the market, Shenzhen is the perfect place to launch.”

MoWine, one of South China’s leading fine wine importers, works with top estates including French grands crus classés. As Tapi’s exclusive regional distributor, it plans to place the wine in high-end restaurants, specialist retailers, and e-commerce channels.

Tapi Wines, founded by Altschwager and viticulturist Mark Kenneally, is a small family-run estate known for sustainable farming and low-intervention winemaking. Most of its portfolio is already certified organic, and this Sauvignon Blanc is the first NZ imported wine permitted to carry China’s official organic label. 

The dual certification is expected to further boost New Zealand wine’s positioning in China, at a time when its exports to China are steadily growing. In the 12 months till June this year, New Zealand wine exports to China grew by 47% to over $56 million, according to data from New Zealand Winegrowers. 

China–NZ Agreement Creates Unique Advantage

Globally, many wines are certified organic in their home markets, but EU, U.S., and Australian certifications are not recognized in China. Without equivalence agreements, producers must apply separately for Chinese certification — an expensive process few pursue.

New Zealand is the exception. In November 2016, China’s Certification and Accreditation Administration (CNCA) and New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries signed the country’s first-ever intergovernmental organic product equivalence deal, aligning standards, certification procedures, and oversight. Implementation began in 2022.

In June, the China Organic Food Certification Center (COFCC) signed a cooperation agreement with BioGro, New Zealand’s organic certification body. The partnership covers areas including organic farming technology exchange, product certification, and market promotion.

As part of this framework, COFCC has for the first time issued a Chinese organic certification to a New Zealand wine originally certified by BioGro, under the China–New Zealand Organic Product Mutual Recognition Arrangement. The system allows New Zealand wines already certified as organic by BioGro to be reissued a Chinese certificate, enabling them to carry China’s organic seal and tracking code. Tapi’s Sauvignon Blanc is the first wine to be certified under this arrangement.

Strong Demand for Organic Wines in China

Chinese consumers have long associated organic products with health and quality, and wines with organic labels enjoy strong appeal. 

Importers have seen similar traction. Sam’s Club previously promoted a French wine with both Chinese and French organic certifications, which repeatedly sold out and was even subject to purchase limits.

For New Zealand, the ability to apply China’s organic seal gives its wines a unique competitive edge, especially in a market where its white wines already enjoy strong reputation and rising imports. With the added draw of official organic status, sales momentum is expected to accelerate further.