What Wineworks does

WineWorks is New Zealand's leading contract wine bottling, warehousing, and distribution services provider, founded in 1995 by Tim Nowell-Usticke in Hawke's Bay. The company operates three plants — Auckland (Onehunga), Hawke's Bay (Hastings, the original 1995 site), and Marlborough (Blenheim, the largest facility with 210+ staff) — running 9 bottling lines with combined capacity of 120,000 cases per day (140,000 at peak). WineWorks serves 400+ of New Zealand's 700 wineries, including major export brands such as Delegat (Oyster Bay), Saint Clair Family Estate, Yealands Estate, Nautilus, and Sacred Hill. The service portfolio spans the full post-production supply chain: bulk wine collection and transport via a 26-tanker fleet (including New Zealand's first variable-capacity tanks), in-house laboratory testing with WECS export certification via AsureQuality, bottling, packaging materials supply, temperature-stable warehousing (71,000+ sqm), online client portal for stock and run management, and freight services via the 'WineWorks to the World' partnership network. Approximately 85% of bottles produced through WineWorks are exported, with major destination markets including the UK, USA, and broader international retailers serviced through BRCGS, FDA, MPI, BioGro, and SWNZ certifications.

The business model is a vertically integrated industrial services platform with multiple revenue streams: transaction-fee bottling (the primary stream), managed services for warehousing and distribution, subscription-based online portal access, transportation fees, and professional services for laboratory and certification work. Pricing is quote-based and negotiated per client, with no public standard tiers; the company leverages scale-driven bulk purchasing of glass, closures, and packaging consumables to deliver cost-effective bundles. Distribution is direct-to-winery via a dedicated client services team across all three sites, supported by integrated freight partnerships for export logistics. The Marlborough facility is adjacent to the newly opened MIP Honomai inland port (March 2025 partnership with QuayConnect and Port Nelson), enhancing supply chain resilience for the top of the South Island.

WineWorks has pursued a clear sustainability-led positioning, achieving Toitū net carbonzero certification in December 2023 — the first NZ wine bottling facility to do so — with a 51% emissions reduction since baseline, 55% targeted by 2026, and carbon neutrality by 2030. The company is privately held, with founder Tim Nowell-Usticke remaining director and majority shareholder after his 2022 retirement from day-to-day operations. Ownership is concentrated, with no institutional investor or parent company identified. The $52M capacity expansion announced in November 2022 — including new bottling lines, glass storage, and sparkling capability — signals continued investment in scale infrastructure. WineWorks is a member of NZ WineGrowers, Sustainable Winegrowing NZ, and Wine Packagers of Australia and New Zealand, and holds extensive site-specific retailer approvals (Tesco, Aldi, M&S, Sainsbury's, Coles, The Cooperative Food).

Name

Wineworks

Legal name

Wineworks

Website

https://wineworks.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

WineWorks is New Zealand's largest contract wine bottling, warehousing, and distribution services provider, operating 9 bottling lines and 71,000+ sqm of temperature-stable warehousing across three plants to serve 400+ of NZ's 700 wineries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Contract Wine Bottling Services

NAICS

Beverage Manufacturing (3121)

SIC

Beverages (2080)

akta.pro primary industry

Alcoholic Beverage Contract Manufacturing & Co-Packing (AFAFAAAI)

Keywords

• Contract wine bottling
• Wine warehousing services
• Bulk wine transport
• Wine packaging supply
• Winery logistics services

Headquarters

HQ city

Auckland

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Contract Bottling Services: Primary revenue stream from providing bottling, labelling, and packaging services to wineries. WineWorks operates 9 bottling lines with 120,000 cases per day capacity across three plants.
2. Warehousing & Storage: Temperature-stable warehousing services with inventory management for finished goods, cleanskins, and dry goods.
3. Distribution Services: Full courier and bulk freight services including overnight delivery, container packaging and consolidation for export markets.
4. Online Portal Services: Customer-specific secure portal providing electronic control of stock, run specifications, and documentation management.
5. Laboratory Testing Services: In-house laboratory performing wine analysis and WECS export certification service through partnership with AsureQuality.
6. Bulk Wine Transport: Collection and transport of wine using fleet of 26 tankers and VC tanks, including pre-bottling testing on arrival.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

WineWorks provides end-to-end contract wine bottling, packaging materials supply, temperature-stable warehousing, bulk wine transport, laboratory analysis with WECS export certification, and distribution logistics to New Zealand wineries. Operating 9 bottling lines across three regional plants with 120,000 cases/day capacity and 71,000+ sqm of warehousing, the company enables winemakers to outsource capital-intensive post-production infrastructure and focus on wine production.

Product overview

Wineworks operates as a contract bottling, packaging, warehousing and logistics service provider for New Zealand's wine industry. The company offers an integrated suite of services including bulk wine collection and transport (26-tank fleet), in-house laboratory analysis with WECS export certification, bottling operations across 9 lines with 120,000 cases/day capacity, packaging materials supply, temperature-stable warehousing (71,000+ sqm), online client portal, freight services, and certification management. The service portfolio also includes KeyKeg PET kegs as an alternative packaging option. Wineworks operates plants in Marlborough, Hawke's Bay, and Auckland, serving over 400 wineries and employing approximately 420-500 people.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bottling Wine bottling service operating 9 bottling lines across Marlborough, Hawke's Bay and Auckland with total capacity of 120,000 cases per day. Features electro-pneumatic filling valve technology for low dissolved oxygen pickup, Stelvin Lux closures, logo alignment for screwcaps, and specialty lines for shrink sleeves and sparkling wine. Available to New Zealand wineries.
• Bulk Wine Service Collection and transport of bulk wine using a fleet of 26 tankers with variable-capacity (VC) tanks designed to transport wine without ullage, including pre-bottling testing on arrival. Special attention for small-lot wines. Available to New Zealand wineries.
• Laboratory Services In-house laboratory providing fast independent wine analysis using modern equipment and skilled technicians, including WECS export certification service through partnership with AsureQuality. Operates at Auckland, Marlborough and Hawke's Bay sites for New Zealand wineries.
• Packaging Materials Supply Supply of packaging materials including glass bottles (Visy NZ, Chandler Glass, Orora, Saver Glass), closures (screw caps, PVC capsules, aluminium capsules), cartons, barcode labels, pallets, and slip sheets. Provides cost-effective packaging through purchasing economies of scale for New Zealand wineries.
• Warehouse & Distribution Temperature-stable warehousing with over 71,000 sqm of storage space, next-generation online stock management, courier and bulk freight services, container packaging and consolidation for export markets. Stores finished goods, cleanskins, and dry goods for New Zealand wineries.
• Online Services Portal Secure online portal providing live stock levels and movement histories, online preparation of run specifications, online confirmation of bottling runs, access to forms and documentation, product specifications, online despatches, and tools for labels, cartons, filtration and alternative packaging. Available to all WineWorks winery clients.
• Freight Services WineWorks to the World freight service developing partnerships with freighting organizations to transport wine from warehouse to customers worldwide, including overnight delivery and container packaging and consolidation for export markets. Available to New Zealand wineries.
• Certifications Management Management of quality and sustainability certifications including BRCGS, MPI, BioGro, WSMP, SWNZ, FDA, and Toitū Envirocare carbon zero. Provides clients access to certificates through Client Portal Resource Library to support their own export and retailer compliance needs.
• KeyKeg Alternative Packaging Lightweight PET kegs offered as alternative to glass bottles through partnership with KeyKeg, suitable for domestic sales and wine exports with reduced storage space and transportation costs, no breakage, and 100% recyclability. Available to New Zealand wineries and hospitality customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 120,000 cases bottled per day across 9 lines
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• MIP Honomai (QuayConnect, Port Nelson)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 March 2025Marlborough Inland Port 'Honomai' opened February 2025 adjacent to WineWorks Marlborough. Partnership with QuayConnect and Port Nelson increases connectivity and resilience for top of south region. Enables direct glass transport via electric tug, container packing, and contingency supply chain options.
• Central ExpresscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIn Marlborough, partnered with transport experts Central Express to increase quality and scope of bulk wine transport services. Wine Express tankers are now seen throughout Marlborough roads.
• AsureQualitycoreTechnology or IntegrationWineWorks partnered with AsureQuality to provide wine testing to meet Wine Export Certification (WECs) requirements. Cost competitive service requiring minimal effort from wineries.
• Visy New ZealandcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal glass bottle supplier - Visy is NZ's only glass furnace. Glass is made of 70% recycled glass from NZ's recycling process. All waste glass returned to Visy furnace for remelting.
• Chandler Glass and PackagingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorImported glass bottle supplier alongside Orora and Saver Glass
• Guala ClosuresminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSupplier of plain and printed screw caps for wine closures
• EcotricitycoreOthersNZ's only Toitū climate positive electricity provider. Auckland and Hawke's Bay sites signed with Ecotricity for 100% renewable energy, contributing to carbon zero certification.
• Meridian EnergycoreOthersWineWorks Marlborough partnered with Meridian and uses Renewable Energy Certificates. Meridian supplies renewable energy from dams.
• Toitū EnvirocarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWineWorks is certified Toitū carbonzero - first NZ wine bottling facility to achieve this. Partnership enables measurement and reduction of carbon footprint, supporting client sustainability claims.
• Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand (SWNZ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWineWorks demonstrates commitment to environmentally responsible procedures as member of SWNZ. Supports NZ Wine Industry goal of carbon zero by 2050.
• BRCGScoreOthersBRCGS (Brand Reputation through Compliance Global Standard) is WineWorks' benchmark certification. Internationally recognised food & beverage standard required by major UK supermarkets including Tesco, Aldi, Marks & Spencer's.
• Spray Point StationminorOthersCarbon offset partner - family owned farm in Marlborough's Waihopai Valley. Former grazing block fenced off and registered for carbon sequestration. Receives 40% of WineWorks carbon offsets.
• Native Forest Restoration TrustminorOthersCarbon offset partner for Puhoi Far North regeneration project. 300ha reserve of mature and regenerating forest, one of largest privately protected bush areas in Far North. Receives 40% of WineWorks carbon offsets.
• Wine Marlborough LtdminorOthersWineWorks supports Marlborough Wine Show run by Wine Marlborough Ltd to champion excellence and promote diversity of Marlborough wines.
• NZ WineGrowerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWineWorks participates in industry initiatives with NZ WineGrowers including Alternative Packaging webinars, vintage tonnage sweepstake, and sustainability programs.
• Hawke's Bay AirportminorOthersWineWorks sponsored installation of Great Wine Capital signposts at Hawke's Bay Airport and isit information centres.
• Hawke's Bay WinegrowersminorOthersPrincipal partner of Hawke's Bay Wine Auction - sole beneficiary being Cranford Hospice. WineWorks has been lead sponsor for multiple years.
• Marlborough Kaikōura Trail TrustminorOthersWineWorks sponsors The Whale Trail - cycleway section passing Marlborough site. Community initiative turning earthquake-affected railway line into walking/cycling trail.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Vinpac International: Australia/NZ-based contract wine bottling, packaging, and logistics provider serving major wine producers. Most direct competitor to WineWorks in the trans-Tasman wine co-packing market with similar integrated bottling, warehousing, and freight services.
• Portavin: Australian wine logistics and mobile bottling service provider operating across multiple wine regions. Direct comparator for WineWorks' bulk wine transport and contract bottling offerings, especially for smaller and boutique producers.

Regional players

• SA Wine Industry Bottlers Association members / Cellar 47: Independent Australian wine bottling and contract packaging specialists operating in the South Australian wine industry. Comparable contract bottling services for wineries, focused on the Australian market rather than direct NZ competition.

Broad incumbents

• Treasury Wine Estates: Global wine producer (Penfolds, Wolf Blass) operating large-scale in-house bottling facilities at scale comparable to WineWorks' national footprint. Represents the integrated model WineWorks' co-packing service competes against for outsourced volume.
• Pernod Ricard Winemakers: Global wine and spirits major with significant NZ operations (formerly Montana/Brancott). Operates large-scale bottling infrastructure across multiple wine regions, comparable in scale and certifications footprint to WineWorks' integrated offering.

Others

• Visy: NZ's only glass manufacturer and a key packaging supplier to WineWorks. Closely intertwined ecosystem partner given WineWorks' reliance on Visy for 70% recycled-content glass bottles.
• Pact Group Holdings: Australia/NZ packaging manufacturer providing rigid plastics, containers, and packaging solutions to the beverage industry. Comparable as a packaging supply-chain participant in the same beverage ecosystem.
• Berry Global Group: Global packaging manufacturer producing bottles, containers, and specialty packaging for food and beverage end markets. Comparable as a packaging materials ecosystem partner serving beverage and consumer product customers.
• Smurfit Kappa: Global packaging company supplying cardboard, cartons, and sustainable packaging to beverage and consumer goods industries. Comparable as a packaging supplier into WineWorks' value chain (cartons, pallets).
• Toll Group: Asia-Pacific logistics and freight provider with beverage and wine industry capabilities. Comparable as a downstream logistics competitor/partner in WineWorks' distribution and freight services offering.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights1 record

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Wineworksnz
• Facebookfacebook.com/wineworksnz
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wineworks
• Instagraminstagram.com/wineworksnz

Compliance18 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Wineworks