Testing water for winemaking
If you use self-supplied water for winemaking (including cleaning winemaking equipment and hand-washing), you must get your water tested to make sure it is suitable. Your water must be tested:
- at least every 12 months
- within 1 week of an environmental event that could affect your water (like a major weather or seismic event)
- before you use a new source of self-supplied water.
Water must meet the requirements of the Wine Notice – Good Operating Practices [PDF, 218 KB]
Testing water for E.coli
Testing for E. coli must be performed by a laboratory that is accredited to ISO/IEC17025. They must have E.coli testing in their scope of accreditation.
Find an accredited drinking water laboratory – Taumata Arowai
Find a laboratory recognised for animal products (dairy)
Search tip when using our register: Under 'Recognition function', select 'Animal Products Laboratory (Dairy)'. Then choose 'Search laboratory'.
Turbidity testing of water
It is not necessary to use a Wine Act-recognised laboratory to measure turbidity. You can also do it in your own laboratory.
Testing wine for export
If you export wine, some countries require that the wine analysis meets their requirements. If this analysis is needed for an export certificate for that country, testing must be performed by a recognised laboratory.
Labs recognised to analyse wine for export
Search tip when using our register: Under 'Act', select 'Wine Act 2003'. Then choose 'Search laboratory'.
Who to contact
If you have questions about testing of self-supplied water and wine for export, email wine.query@mpi.govt.nz
