New Zealand-based Blackenbrook Vineyard has been certified as Vegetarian wine producer by the New Zealand Vegetarian Society.

Based on the licensing created by UK Vegetarian Society, all the white and rose wines bottled hereafter at the Blackenbrook Vineyard will carry Vegetarian Society Approved Trademark, reported voxy.co.nz.

Blackenbrook Sauvignon Blanc 2012, Riesling 2012, Pinot Gris 2012 and Rose 2012 are the first wines to be labeled with the approved trademark logo, which are set to be bottled in August 2012, with further plans to label Blackenbrook Gewurztraminer, Muscat and Chardonnay in 2013.

The winery usually makes its wines using gentle processes without much intervention.

Blackenbrook Vineyard is one among the three wineries in New Zealand to make vegan wines by following sustainable practices and receive vegetarian accreditation.

Blackenbrook Vineyard owner and winemaker Daniel Schwarzenbach told the website that they applied for the Vegetarian Certification in response to increasing demand from wine buyers here in New Zealand and in their main export market, Japan.

"The Vegetarian logo will be a fantastic tool to set our wines apart on the wine shelves and help vegan or vegetarian consumers feel confident about their wine choice," Schwarzenbach added.

"A lot of people don’t realise that animal products can be used to fine the young wines, a process aimed at removing bitterness or other unwanted components from wine."

New Zealand Vegetarian Society spokesperson Jeanette Blackburn said this easily recognised trademark means vegetarians can feel assured that the product has been verified as truly vegetarian.

"It’s recognised internationally, with over 8,000 products in the UK and Europe licensed to show the trademark on their labels," Blackburn said.