This article was republished with permission from the May 2026 edition of Winepress.
Main image: Elizabeth Finlay at The Coterie, where native plantings, solar and electric vehicles are part of continuous improvement. Image credit: Jim Tannock.
Momentum is building across solar, storage and EVs in Marlborough wine sector.
The Coterie’s solar system exceeded forecasts, supplying 18% harvest energy.
Solar, electrification and green finance are key for energy security, emissions cuts.
Vintage 2026 proved a bumper season for winery solar systems, with high sunshine hours a boon for the harvest of grapes and power.
The Coterie site and sustainability manager Elizabeth Finlay says a 60kW solar array installed on the winery roof in February was not intended to carry the heavy load of vintage, when energy use at least doubles in the winery, but produced 18% of the winery’s total energy rather than the 10% expected.
“This result has been really promising in what role solar can play for us in reducing our carbon footprint,” she says.
Solar and electrification will be discussed at WinePro in Blenheim in June, with speakers canvassing options in wineries and vineyards, including hurdles and highlights.
“We know plenty of companies have either dipped a toe into solar projects or are exploring them, and others are delving into electrification and automation in their companies,” says Wine Marlborough general manager Marcus Pickens.
“The US Iran war has focused even more attention on energy security, so I expect there will be plenty of interest in hearing from companies already doing it.”
The Coterie array is designed to cover 30% of the winery’s energy needs outside the harvest surge, including charging three new BYD plug-in hybrid work utes, which have 100km electric range, and tow up to 2.5 tonnes when switched to fuel.
They have averaged 3.9 litres of petrol per 100km for a variety of uses typical for a winery, including hauling fruit at vintage time, running errands and a few longer trips, Elizabeth says.
“We’re currently reducing our petrol dependence by at least 50%, with a hope to increase this even more once we have installed a fast charging system at the winery.”
The move towards electrification is primarily about reducing emissions, but has proved timely, given growing fuel insecurity, she says.
“The Coterie was able to get the solar installation through an ANZ Green Loan (see 'Green Loans' below) and it’s been a massive expenditure to get all of this going. But with everything going on in the world right now, it feels good to have it in place.”
The company is B Corp certified, reflecting values around caring for their place and people, from staff to growers to suppliers, Elizabeth says.
“Everyone is important here, and we want to do everything we can to make sure we’re making a positive impact.”
Co-owners Rhyan Wardman and Ben and Susie Glover, have empowered the team to champion improvements, which keeps everyone “genuinely invested in our sustainability journey”, she adds.
This year they decided to focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions through the solar installation, while also taking a “deep dive” into their supply chain, with a new procurement policy.
That has been “truly inspiring”, Elizabeth says. “Coming out of this exercise, we feel we’re surrounded by businesses doing inspiring work in the sustainability space.”
GREEN LOANS
The Coterie’s solar array was developed with financial assistance through an ANZ Business Green Loan.
ANZ Relationship Manager Hayden Payne says the loans are about supporting businesses that are taking practical steps on sustainability, while keeping a commercial focus on their business.
“Around Marlborough, we’re seeing customers use it for things like solar installations, energy and water efficiency, wastewater improvements and waste reduction projects,” he says.
“The Coterie’s solar project is a great example of how the right kind of green finance can make it easier for businesses to meet changing customer and business demands, while also making sustainability part of everyday business decision making.”
DRIVING ELECTRIFICATION
The Coterie’s new utes are leased from McKendry Motors in Blenheim, which had a “massive increase” in enquiries and sales of electric and hybrid vehicles in April.
Owner Andrew McKendry says initial interest has been from the general public, including wine industry members, but he’s expecting to hear from more wine companies as current lease agreements end. “It’s very, very driven by the fuel crisis at the moment, but it’s a wake-up call everyone needed.”
The Coterie utes will also charge at the Glovers’ Brawn Vineyard Estates, which is one of 32 “demonstration farms” to receive funding from EECA (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority) to assess how solar and batteries stack up in agriculture and horticulture.
Susie says the 30kWh solar and battery system, which should be in place by July, will be used for irrigation, the workshop and vineyard homestead, and will be part of a transition to battery powered equipment, including The Coterie’s electric utes.
The new projects mean the utes will commute between the Lower Wairau vineyard and Wairau Valley winery without burning fossil fuels, she says.
“We are winning all the time.” EECA group manager delivery and partnerships Richard Briggs says there’s “tremendous interest” in solar due to the potential to both reduce energy costs and build on-farm resilience.
“We know many in our rural communities face outages and challenges with energy security,” he said when the demonstration farms were announced.
“Solar and batteries together provide a possible solution to significantly reduce the vulnerability of important domestic and export sectors.”
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Image: Seaview Estate Wines' solar panels. (Credit: supplied)
Seaview Estate Wines is a front runner in winery electrification in New Zealand, with more than 1,300 photovoltaic solar panels on its winery roof by 2016, generating over 400,000–500,000 kWh annually.
In 2024, the winery supplemented that energy by working in partnership with its owner Marlborough Lines, which developed a 4MW solar array nearby, allowing Seaview Estate to purchase clean energy via Meridian.
Earlier this year the company, which is a member of International Wineries for Climate Action, added a 120kw heat pump system to replace a biomass burner in the winery, and retrofitted two wine tanks into thermal storage tanks, storing hot water generated by solar, which can be used in the mornings and evenings, when there’s no solar energy.
Whitehaven Wines sustainable development manager Josh Barclay is one of three representatives for Electrify Marlborough, which was launched in 2025 to promote and support electrification in the region.
Whitehaven has been exploring solar options for the past year, working closely with Marlborough Lines. Like many wine companies, they’ve been watching technology advance and panels become more affordable and more productive, Josh says.
"I think a lot of people have kind of just pushed it out, waiting for the right time. So hopefully this is enough of a shock that time is now.”
Meanwhile, Josh has been following the electrification of vineyard vehicles, with viable options getting close.
“We’re planning to jump straight into it once there’s something there that meets our requirements.”
He says Marlborough is an ideal place for solar energy, with high sunshine hours, as well as a significant industry that requires energy.
“I think there are a lot of opportunities for solar here; Marlborough can be used as an example of what other people can do around the country.
CUTTING FUEL WITH CARBON CALCULATOR
The fuel and supply chain disruption caused by the US-Iran conflict has created increased costs and uncertainty across the wine industry, says New Zealand Winegrowers general manager sustainability Dr Edwin Massey.
“From our perspective, the first priority is assisting members to get through this challenge.”
In late March, Bragato Research Institute (BRI) supplied advice to members on saving diesel (See VineFacts Issue #13), and will put out more information on possible prioritisation of tasks soon, says Edwin.
In the longer term, the current crisis will highlight the industry’s reliance on fossil fuels, and the likelihood of increased costs around diesel, he says.
“Continuing to divest from diesel is incredibly important for our industry, not just because of our Roadmap to Net Zero goal, but also to reduce costs across the supply chain.”
However, that divestment can only occur at scale when there aremeaningful alternatives to replace fossil fuels, he says.
“And we’re still at the early stage of those alternatives being viable.”
Seaview Estate sustainability manager Andree Piddington told attendees at the International Cool Climate Wine Symposium that diesel is a “massive” 70% of the company’s scope 1 emissions.
In 2023 the company moved away from diesel-powered pumps in the vineyard, and where possible they combine activities, such as mowing and trimming with one tractor, reducing passes.
They also map out work plans a week in advance, streamlining activities to reduce vehicle movements.
To hear Andree’s talk at the ICCWS, including detailed information on reducing Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, go to nzsvo.org.nz.
FAQs:
What role can solar power play in winery operations? Solar can supply a meaningful share of winery energy needs - even during high‑demand vintage periods - reducing costs, improving resilience and cutting carbon emissions.
Why are wineries investing in electrification and solar now? Rising fuel costs, supply uncertainty and climate targets are pushing wineries to transition away from diesel and petrol toward more stable, renewable energy sources.
How are wineries funding sustainability upgrades like solar? Green finance options, such as ANZ Business Green Loans, are helping wineries invest in solar, energy efficiency and emissions reduction projects while maintaining commercial viability.