Upcoming events

iccws2026.nz

26-28 January 2026

Following 20 years overseas, the International Cool Climate Wine Symposium returns to New Zealand this January. Developed by the industry, for the industry, this three-day event is purposefully designed to educate, inspire and strengthen the wine sector of today. Host organisation, the New Zealand Society for Viticulture and Oenology, is renowned for its annual technical workshop series. The symposium is an extension of this collaborative format and interlaces a clever collective of international and local speakers, including Nick Lane from Defined Wine in the United Kingdom, Dr Kai Voss-Fels from Hochschule Geisenheim University in Germany, and Jenifer Cugat from the Catena Institute in Argentina, as well as Anne Escalle from Rimapere and Akarua, and Felton Road's Nigel Greening.

Marlborough Wine & Food Festival

14 February

marlboroughwinefestival.com

Organisers of New Zealand's oldest wine festival are always working to keep it fresh says Marlborough Wine & Food Festival event organiser Loren Coffey. In 2026 that includes the introduction of a new free wine education zone, The Curious Cellar, which will host 30-minute talks from winemakers on a variety of topics. For those wanting to delve more deeply, the annual Masterclasses will be back, including a class on naturally fermented wine and food, and another to "demystify" the wine judging process through a blind tasting experience, Loren says. Troy Kingi and Kaylee Bell will be centre stage, along with Sweet Mix Kids and Jaydin Shingleton, and many more local acts, including the acoustic stage and the always-popular vinyl area. "With over 30 top wineries, 20-plus eateries, including multiple winery restaurants, a local brewery option and a range of non-alcoholic beverages, the festival truly offers an opportunity to get a taste for everything the Marlborough region has to offer," Loren says.

Wairarapa Wines Harvest Festival

21 February

wairarapaharvestfestival.co.nz

Wairarapa wineries, eateries and food producers will set up against a stunning backdrop of ancient native trees and a picturesque riverside setting. The Wairarapa Wines Harvest Festival, presented by James Henry Ltd, is a day of indulgence and enjoyment.

Yealands

Climate Action Week Marlborough

23-27 February

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

Climate Action Week Marlborough 2026 has a theme of 'leading by doing: local businesses, local solutions, collective action'. Yealands Estates is the foundational partner of the five-day event, which has covers myriad key topics, including water, a circular economy, biodiversity, energy and carbon.

North Canterbury Wine & Food Festival

8 March

ncwineandfood.co.nz

A celebration of dedicated growers, talented winemakers and innovative chefs, the North Canterbury Wine & Food Festival celebrates the grape harvest in style, under the oaks at Glenmark Domain.

Ripe Wanaka

21 March

ripewanaka.nz

Sir Dave Dobbyn is the headline act for the next Wānaka Wine & Food Festival, held at Glendhu Bay. The fifth Ripe festival will showcase more than 20 Central Otago wineries, alongside locally brewed craft beers, premium cocktails and food from some of the region's best dish makers. The event won 'Sustainability Initiative of the Year' at the 2025 New Zealand Events Association Awards.

Grape Days 2026

June 16-22

nzwine.com/grape-days

Save the date for Grape Days 2026, with Central Otago on 16 June, Hawke's Bay on 18 June, and Marlborough on 22 June. Grape Days is supported by the New Zealand Winegrowers levy and delivered through Bragato Research Institute, to provide high-level overviews of research with a practical focus for members.

WinePro

June 23-25, 2026

winepro.co.nz

Following its highly successful debut, WinePro New Zealand returns in Blenheim in 2026, nurturing collaboration, innovation and learning in New Zealand's wine industry. Supported by the Marlborough District Council and Marlborough Wine, the event will offer education sessions, alongside an expo showcasing leading suppliers and cutting edge technologies.

Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand 2027

2-4 February 2027

sauvignonnz.com

Global industry leaders, trade influencers, sommeliers and wine content creators will gather in Wairau Marlborough on the cusp of the 2027 harvest, to explore the magic of Sauvignon Blanc. They'll join a united collective of passionate producers from around the country in an exploration of the variety that's led the charge of New Zealand wine on the world stage. Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand 2027 will highlight the depth, diversity and regionality of Sauvignon Blanc, while indulging in a showstopping Kiwi hospitality. Chaired by Yealands Chief Winemaker, Natalie Christensen, SBNZ27 is being shaped by a committee of industry representatives from nine New Zealand wineries, NZW and Wine Marlborough.