Wine industry veteran announces plans to retire
NZ Winegrowers CEO Philip Gregan is stepping aside after 43 years in the industry.
Philip Gregan has dedicated his entire career to the wine industry.
New Zealand Winegrowers CEO Philip Gregan has announced he will retire in June 2026, marking 43 years of service to the industry.
The New Zealand Winegrowers board said it was deeply grateful to Gregan for his lifelong commitment to the industry.
Chair Fabian Yukich said Gregan had told the board "some time ago" that he intended to retire. "Today’s announcement reflects his consideration to ensure sufficient time to appoint a suitably qualified successor and allow for a seamless handover," he said.
Gregan started in the industry in 1983, as a research officer for the Wine Institute. He was appointed CEO of the institute in the early 1990s, playing an integral role in New Zealand wine’s international trade negotiations, which resulted in the formation of the World Wine Trade Group.
In 2002, the Wine Institute merged with the Grape Growers Council to form New Zealand Winegrowers Inc, and he was appointed CEO of the new organisation.
At that time, almost all of New Zealand's wine was produced for a domestic market, Gregan recalled. “Today, we are a global wine success story, with over 90% of wine heading to overseas markets and exports worth over $2 billion per year. Our wines now help define the reputation of New Zealand as a country around the world."
The biggest highlight of his career had been "the privilege of working with and for our brilliant growers and winemakers", he said. "Their passionate commitment to everything that New Zealand wine stands for continues to inspire me. It has been a privilege to work on behalf of the wine industry for so long. I look forward to handing over to my successor so they can help the industry further build its reputation and global success in the years ahead.”
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