New Zealand wine exports reached a value of $600 million in the September quarter, marking a 9% increase from the previous year, fueled by high international demand and a slight rise in price per litre. Despite this success, the industry faces challenges such as supply constraints, reduced harvest sizes, increased production costs, and the impact of Covid-19 on borders and supply chains. The shortage of skilled workers, exacerbated by border closures, is particularly concerning. The industry is implementing strategies to mitigate these challenges, including quarantine-free travel for workers and efforts to attract new labor. However, tourism-dependent businesses continue to struggle, and concerns over shipping reliability and costs persist.