Wednesday, 25 March, 2026
The Drinks Business, Ron Emler
One of the region’s most senior accountants believes the next few years are going to be “so dire” for the wine growers of New Zealand’s Marlborough district. Anton James & Co managing partner Anton James said every grape grower he had spoken to was looking to cut production, such as by mothballing vines in the wake of falling demand and lower prices.
The surprise was not necessarily what James said, but the forum to which he delivered his thoughts.
As treasurer of the Marlborough Civic Theatre Trust, he had just presented his annual report but then launched into a grim forecast for the region’s wine industry, where his practice has many clients.
Growers cut costs as financial pressure mounts
Effectively he was pleading with the local council to cut rates on vineyard properties. “The next three years plus is going to be so dire,” he said.
“If you’re a grape grower, you’re not paying tax for the next five to six years. The losses you’re making this year, next year, and the following year will take five years to unwind in terms of the prices you get per tonne and what they can produce.”
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