Haere Ra 2024: Waiheke
Leon Henson, Vineyard Manager at Batch Winery and Auckland's Young Viticulturist of the Year 2024, looks at the year that was.
27 August
nzwine.com/en/events/young-winemaker
The National Final for the 2024 Tonnellerie de Mercurey Young Winemaker of the Year competition will be held at Foley Wine's The Runholder in Wairarapa, with regional winners battling it out to win the bespoke barrel trophy presented to the champion. The challenges will cover laboratory skills, wine judging, industry knowledge and public speaking. The winner will be announced at the Altogether Unique Celebration Dinner on 29 August.
Young Viticulturist National Final
28 August
nzwine.com/en/events/young-vit
The New Zealand Young Viticulturist of the Year National Final will be held at Escarpment in Wairarapa, with the winner announced at the Altogether Unique 2024 Celebration Dinner in Wellington on 29 August.
Altogether Unique 2024
29 - 30 August
nzwine.com/en/events/altogether-unique-2024
Altogether Unique 2024 will bring together winemakers, grape growers and industry partners in Wellington, to gather, network and celebrate New Zealand's wine industry while learning from the latest insights and innovations. The programme includes the Wine Business Forum and Celebration Dinner on 29 August, followed by the Women in Wine Breakfast and inaugural Research and Innovation Forum on 30 August. Attendees can book for all or some of the four events.
Wine Business Forum
29 August
nzwine.com/en/events/altogether-unique-2024
Attendees at the New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW) 2025 Business Forum will navigate the beverage highway, guided by experts in marketing, sales, artificial intelligence and more. The high calibr lineup of speakers includes Felicity Carter on navigating future wine trends, Rachel O'Shea from Yabble, on the new "superhighway" of AI in wine business, Andrew Shedden, Head of Fine Wine for Endeavour Group, on the innovation driving wine growth, and Kevin Roberts (CNZM) on the inherent brand value of 'New Zealand'.
Altogether Unique Celebration Dinner
29 August
https://www.nzwine.com/en/initiativesevents/altogetherunique/
NZW General Manager Advocacy Sarah Wilson will be joined by comedian Te Radar in hosting this industry celebration at Te Papa in Wellington. The event will include announcements of the Young Viticulturist of the Year and the Tonnellerie de Mercurey Young Winemaker of the Year for 2024, as well as the presentation of the 2024 NZW Fellows, and a new Qualmark New Zealand Wine Tourism Award, acknowledging the important role of wine tourism in New Zealand's visitor economy.
Women in Wine Breakfast
30 August
https://www.nzwine.com/en/initiativesevents/altogetherunique/
Te Papa Chief Executive Courtney Johnston is the guest speaker at the Women in Wine Breakfast on day two of the Altogether Unique programme, speaking about her "two takes on a career journey". Jo Cribb, Chair of New Zealand Women in Wine, will also update attendees on recent activities.
Research and Innovation Forum
30 August
https://www.nzwine.com/en/initiativesevents/altogetherunique/
The inaugural Research and Innovation Forum will explore research on the horizon, technology on the ground, and smart ways of increasing efficiency in vineyards and wineries, says Bragato Research Institute Knowledge Transfer and Engagement Lead Braden Crosby. As well as expert insights on utilising data to maximise potential in the winery and the vineyard space, the forum will include presentations on the potential of RNA technology in vineyards and the role of enzymes as a precise tools of winemaking, with Dr Ellie Bradley of the BRI Grapevine Improvement team joined by biochemist Dr Wayne Patrick, Victoria University's Associate Dean of Science. The forum will include the launch of the New Zealand Wine industry's Roadmap to Net Zero 2050.
Crushing Imposter Syndrome
5 September
nzwine.com/en/initiativesevents/women-in-wine
As part of the Women in Wine Development Series, leadership coach Trish Lui will run a webinar on "Crushing Imposter Syndrome; building your confidence and your career", including practical tips and tricks. The series of webinars is also being recorded.
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Organic Wine Week
16 - 22 September
Organic Wine Week, which ushers in the Spring Equinox, is a seven-day celebration of all things organic wine. The week includes two Down to Earth gatherings, at PreFab Hall in Wellington on 17 September and Brad's Warehouse in Auckland on 19 September. The success of the inaugural Down to Earth last year led OWNZ to find a bigger Auckland venue and expand into Wellington, says Marketing & Events Coordinator Naomi Galvin. "The expansion will allow for greater participation and more good vibes to flow. It's a sign that consumers are really interested in learning more about organic wines." Each Down to Earth event kicks off with a registered trade session from 2:30-4:30pm, followed by a ticketed public session from 5:30-7:30pm. Other Organic Wine Week activities include wine list takeovers, winery pop ups, winemaker dinners, retail promotions, and instore tastings.
Aotearoa New Zealand Chardonnay Symposium
26 - 27 September
Packed with tastings, case studies, and stellar keynote speakers, the 2024 Aotearoa New Zealand Chardonnay Symposium, to be held in Hastings, will build on the success of the inaugural event last year. The programme is focused on a sense of place, with day one exploring Aotearoa's geology, terroir and Chardonnay with experts that include Elaine Chukan Brown, Brenna Quigley, and Stephen Wong MW, followed by Burgundy and Californian perspectives from Jasper Morris MW and Elaine. Day two moves the spotlight back to New Zealand, with a consideration of clonal impact and reflections on global influences and comparisons, including Tasmanian Chardonnay, and an exploration with Jasper of the challenges facing White Burgundy.
NZSVO Technical Workshop
15 October
nzsvo.org.nz/technical-workshops
The theme of the New Zealand Society for Viticulture and Oenology 2024 technical workshop, to be held in Blenheim, is 'Keeping it Fresh'. Sessions will discuss technology and trials, wine trends, unique perspectives, packaging innovations and consumer facing strategies. Themed tastings throughout. Tickets now on sale, capped at 100 delegates.
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New Zealand International Wine Show
18 October
The 2024 New Zealand International Wine Show marks 20 years of the competition. Bob Campbell MW is Chief Judge, supported by Assistant Chief Judges Larry McKenna, John Hancock and Tony Bish, along with a senior judging team that includes a number of leading winemakers and key industry personnel. Judging will take place in Auckland 23 - 25 September with the awards function in Auckland on 18 October.
National Wine Awards of Aotearoa
3 November
The National Wine Awards of Aotearoa New Zealand is the country's newest national wine competition, run by the same team that organised New Zealand's longest running wine show, the Royal Easter Show Wine Awards. Convenor Jo Gear says the competition merges the event's heritage with focussed ambitions for the future, to identify, celebrate and elevate excellence in New Zealand wine. Entries open 12 August and close 6 September, with initial results released 11 October, and the Awards of Excellence Long Luncheon on 3 November.
