The study, completed by Chilean and Californian researchers, found classic wine-producing regions such as California and the Mediterranean will experience substantial losses of vine-friendly land, whereas New Zealand, western North America, and Northern Europe show substantial increases in suitable areas.
The author's model estimates that New Zealand's potential wine growing area could increase by 168%.
"There is potential for vineyards to move south, in particular from Marlborough into Canterbury, or further up the Wairau Valley,” Plant & Food Research principal scientist Dr Mike Trought said.
"Water shortage can be overcome by water storage options.”
Dr Glen Creasy, Senior Lecturer in Viticulture at Lincoln University, said if expansion occurs, it will come at the expense of existing industries on areas relatively close to sea level, such as other horticultural crops, dairying and grazing stock.
"The ecological impact of this may even be beneficial, as the grape growing industry has changed dramatically in the past 20 years with the successful uptake of Sustainable Winegrowing and rapid growth of organically and Biodynamically managed vineyards,” he said.
Full copy of research: click here
