Vintage 2026 yielded excellent fruit for most New Zealand wine regions.
After a hiatus last year, the third iteration of the Blind Tasting returned as a one-day event in Auckland, assessing 887 wines across more than 40 varieties and all 10 winegrowing regions.
"Discombobulated vines lead to great wines", says viticulturist James Dicey, who has lamented the past five years of comparatively easy "cookie cutter" growing in Central Otago.
Organisers of the Inaugural WinePro are looking to build on its success in 2026, with wine-related trade education and innovation showcased in Blenheim from 23-25 June. Wine Marlborough General Manager Marcus Pickens shares some insights into the seminars and workshops planned for this year.
The year was marked by “progress, collaboration and reflection” in biosecurity, says New Zealand Winegrowers Biosecurity Advisor Jim Herdman.
Te Kano Winemaker Dave Sutton, Chair of Waitaki Valley Winegrowers, looks back.
Carolyn Murray, general manager of Central Otago Winegrowers Association, says collaboration remains Central Otago's secret weapon.
Even in tougher times, the New Zealand wine industry is a collaborative force, open minded and engaged by science and innovation, says Juliet Ansell, Chief Executive of Bragato Research Institute.
Matt Barbour of Barbour Vineyards is Chair of the North Canterbury Winegrowers Association and a true champion of the region.
Glenn Thomas made his first Awatere Valley wine at Vavasour in 1989, intrigued by the subregion’s potential.
In 1986 Hunter’s Wines shook up the wine world when it won the Sunday Times Vintage Festival in the United Kingdom with an oak aged Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough’s 1985 vintage.
Abel’s Mark McGill, a Chardonnay champion of the Moutere Valley, looks back at a challenging season and “stellar” vintage.
Hawke’s Bay in 2025 could have provided the backdrop for a great spaghetti western “echoing the good, the bad, and the ugly”, says Brent Linn, founder of Wairiki Wines and Chief Executive of Hawke’s Bay Wine.
The 2025 season gleamed with silver linings, says Wilco Lam, winemaker at Oraterra and Chair of Wairarapa Winegrowers.
Matawhero Wines owner Kirsten Searle celebrated the pioneering winery’s 50th anniversary this year. Kirsten, who sits on the board of Gisborne Winegrowers, and has been part of the region’s wine industry since 2002, says some growers made tough decisions in 2025.
Peter Jones is Director at The Landing and past chair of Northland Winegrowers, with Kim Gilkinson, of Dancing Petrel, now in that role. He casts an eye on the highs and lows of the year.
Kumeu River Winemaker Michael Brajkovich reflects on the year, including the loss of industry icons Peter Babich, Tim Finn and Dr Richard Smart.
Cool Climate Symposium
Many regions have experienced a wet, cloudy and grey winter.
Women in Wine webinar
After record breaking cold for some regions at the start of 2025 (I'm looking at you Wairarapa), there has been a steady improvement in temperatures across the country through March, and then record-breaking warmth for many parts of New Zealand during April.
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