Upcoming events

8 October

nzwine.com/members/sustainability

Gene Technology, what's it all about? New Zealand Winegrowers members are invited to a webinar hosted by Emma Jenkins MW, in which a team of experts will discuss the difference between gene editing and genetic modification.

New Zealand International Wine Show

17 October

nziws.co.nz

Entries for the New Zealand International Wine Show are dominated by locally produced wines, inclduing from the latest vintage. However, there are also good numbers of wines from Australia, France, Italy, Spain and the United States, with 12 countries covered by this year's competition. Convenor Kingsley Wood notes that the show, now in its 21st year, has never had volume requirements. "There are no price breaks and wines do not need to be available for sale on the New Zealand market."

The National Wine Awards of Aotearoa New Zealand

19 October

nationalwineawards.co.nz

This awards event, now in its fourth year, is dedicated to identifying, celebrating and elevating excellence in New Zealand wine, with a team of 10 highly experienced judges, alongside an associate judge programme nurturing up and coming talent. Chair of Judges Jane Cooper is looking forward to the Sauvignon Blanc entries this year, including the increasing array of alternative styles. "It really is the wine we are known for, and it's important to showcase the best examples, from Marlborough and beyond." She's also excited by the Albariño entries, highlighting the opportunities of the variety in Aotearoa, along with Pinot Noir, and its regional and subregional nuances. The Awards of Excellence Celebration is on 19 October at The Hilton Auckland.

Gisborne Wine & Food Festival

26 October 2025

gisbornewineandfoodfestival.co.nz

Labour Weekend will showcase the best of Tairāwhiti’s wine, food and hospitality. The Gisborne Wine and Food Festival is a long-running tradition set across two iconic venues - Matawhero and TW Wines – to mark the beginning of the sunny season. This year’s event is extra special, with Matawhero Wines celebrating its 50th anniversary (see page 39). Guests can enjoy a wide range of varietals, gourmet street food and live music all day long, with complimentary shuttles running between venues.

NGV Spring Workshop

13 November

bri.co.nz/news/events

The Next Generation Viticulture programme aims to help growers improve vineyard profitability through the adoption of innovative, efficient canopy systems. Join Bragato Research Institute’s Winegrowing Innovation Leader Ross Wise MW and Research and Extension Specialist Paul Epee at a Spring Workshop at Cloudy Bay Vineyards, 164 Jacksons Road, Blenheim. The team will discuss light interception, vine structure, training, bud loading and fruitfulness, along with additional findings from the past season. Find out more and register at bri.co.nz/news/events.

Marlborough Wine Show

14 November

marlboroughwineshow.com

The 2025 Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by QuayConnect, plays an important role in developing the reputation of Marlborough wine, while celebrating the winemaking and viticultural talent in the region. This year’s event has several new initiatives, including a Marlborough Wine Grand Tasting on 18 October, with wine industry and wine lovers invited to sample this year’s new release and award-winning wines. Wine Marlborough will also have a dedicated display at the Marlborough Wine + Food Experience, a new wine tourism venue in the heart of Blenheim, to showcase trophy winning wines. The Marlborough Wine Show celebration event will be held on 14 November.

Harvest Hawke's Bay

22 November

harvesthawkesbay.com

The third annual Harvest Hawke’s Bay Festival is a celebration of true food and wine country. Set amongst an established olive grove, with the Tuki Tuki Valley and Te Mata Peak as backdrops, the festival will feature 18 of the region’s wineries, nine eateries, one craft brewery, and three bands performing throughout the afternoon. Tickets are limited to 2,200, meaning patrons can interact personally with the winemakers and food providers, in a quintessential summer’s day out.

Cool Climate Symposium

iccws2026.nz

26-28 January 2026

The International Cool Climate Wine Symposium has a programme on the cutting edge of cool, with sessions ranging from computer vision technology, plant breeding, and precision agriculture to sensory terroir, climate change, and “lateral multistranded thinking”. The symposium, to be held in Ōtautahi Christchurch, has several workshops over the three days, all targeting the theme of ‘Pure Innovation - Sustainable Development in Wine’, as well as a lineup of international and New Zealand-based experts.

Nick Lane, from Defined Wine in Kent, in the United Kingdom, will speak about ‘extracting the best from a marginal climate’, Dr Kai Voss-Fels, a professor at Hochschule Geisenheim University, Germany, will share insights into breeding better grapevines, with “prediction, precision and practical impact”, while Jenifer Cugat, from the Catena Institute in Argentina, will talk about “Catenamics”, the winemaking and growing philosophy of the institute, with a future-oriented approach, looking 200 years out. Jenifer will canvas science-driven sustainability in winemaking, high-altitude viticulture, genetic heritage and innovation, and terroir and soil studies, with groundbreaking research into the impact of altitude, soil composition and climate on grape quality and wine expression. Closer to home, but with an international perspective, Anne Escalle from Rimapere and Akarua, owned by Edmond de Rothschild Heritage vineyards, will talk of a love for cool climate winegrowing regions, while Felton Road’s Nigel Greening will discuss the company’s broad approach to sustainability. The Central Otago winery combines organics, biodynamics and regenerative viticulture with the likes of spore traps powered by artificial intelligence, multisource irrigation, and autonomous aerial spraying. “Is it too many ingredients to put on a plate?” he asks. “Or does the impending chaos of climate change require lateral multistranded thinking?” The symposium is hosted by the New Zealand Society for Viticulture and Oenology. Early bird registration closes 31 October.

Marlborough Wine & Food Festival

14 February 2026

marlboroughwinefestival.com

Known for its world-famous wines, delightful cuisine, dance-inducing entertainment and brilliant atmosphere, Marlborough’s iconic Wine & Food Festival continues to evolve. In 2026 the revamped Culinary Pavilion will include wineries showcasing their stories and wines alongside Marlborough’s top food producers, marrying the best of the region’s wine and food. There are also new education elements, alongside the oft-soldout masterclasses, with a series of short and engaging sessions for curious wine lovers.

Climate Action Week Marlborough

23-27 February

events.humanitix.com/climate-action-week-marlborough-2026

With a theme of ‘leading by doing: local businesses, local solutions, collective action’, Climate Action Week Marlborough 2026 is building on four years of storytelling, workshops, networking and immersion experiences to grow awareness and action around climate change. Yealands Wine is the foundational partner of the five-day event, with topics including: ‘water, risk and resilience; circular economy and waste; and nature and biodiversity; and energy and carbon.