The commercial vintners in the Netherlands have concluded that the interests of this sector will be better served by a professional organisation for wine producers, in accordance with the growth and acceptance of this sector. With the foundation of the VNWP (Vereniging Nederlandse Wijn Producenten) on January 1, 2016 such an association has been established. Of the 240 hectare in production in the Netherlands, 84% has joined the association. This association is an equivalent to the Winzer Verband in the German Rheinland Pfalz region, and the Belgische Wijnbouwers in Belgium.
The most important tasks of VNWP will be:
- to represent the commercial vineyards in various bodies and institutions in the Netherlands and abroad.
- to support work related to present and future regulations.
- to ensure appropriate crop protection.
- to initiate improvements in production and quality, and to realize a more sustainable production.
Wine production in the Netherlands amounts to approximately 1 million bottles per year, in white, rose, red and sparkling, as well as sweet wines. At international wine competitions, Dutch wine is received well more and more.
Photo Gerhard Witteveen
