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Murray Cook
Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand 2027 will offer something for everyone, says committee member Murray Cook.
The event, to be held at Wairau Marlborough from 2-4 February 2027, is going to be "epic", says the winemaker at Dog Point Vineyard.
We need to celebrate Sauvignon Blanc because... it holds a special place in the world of wine, with wine lovers the world over enamoured by its refreshing characters, generosity of flavour and approachability. And what better place to celebrate it than in its modern home of Wairau, Aotearoa.
An exciting change I am seeing is... as with most wine regions around the world, the constant flux and shift. With new faces emerging, new vines being planted (and old ones being championed), and new labels being introduced, there's always something new happening. Seeing the diversity of wines flourishing in the country is something exciting to see. It shows nobody is resting on laurels, and growers and producers are pushing forward and challenging the norms.
SBNZ27 is important because... we need a reason to celebrate all the goodness that growers and producers from around New Zealand work so hard to bring to the table. It's easy to be put off by the pessimism in the media about the world of wine right now, but for me it's the people that bind that world together and provide the network of connections that enable the message to shine through. There are a lot of great stories here that just need an opportunity to be shared, and that's why SBNZ27 is so important.
The three days will include... great people chatting, discussing and tasting their way through some of the country’s finest wines. We’ll look beyond our shores as well, to give the global perspective on our wines, and to look at where we sit at the table.
One thing I'm really excited by is... the chance to see wonderful communicators, writers, sommeliers, buyers and wine lovers back in one magic location, to mingle and enjoy three packed days of deep diving into Sauvignon, eating great food and having fun. It’s going to be epic!
I'm passing the Q&A baton to fellow committee member... Rich Ellis, because I’m pretty sure he’s not buried in grapes and juice still, having come up for air after harvest 2026.
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