Thursday, 06 June 2024 13:25

Upcoming events

Written by  Staff Reporters

OWNZ Workshops

7 - 14 June

organicwinenz.com/kellymulvilletour

The Horticentre Charitable Trust OWNZ Kelly Mulville Tour workshops are in Central Otago on 7 June, North Canterbury on 10 June, Marlborough on 12 June, and Hawke's Bay on 14 June. Kelly is a pioneer of the regenerative viticulture movement in the United States, with an approach that aims to move with climate change and reduce the environmental footprint of vineyards by developing innovative viticultural growing systems.

Red Blends Workshops

7 June

hawkesbaywine.co.nz

Gary Walsh from Winefront is a keynote speaker at this one-day workshop in Hastings and will provide candid insights on international trends. Local winemakers, wine businesses and viticulture experts will also share success stories. While having a Hawke's Bay focus, red blend producers from other regions will find value. Register at eventfinda.co.nz/2024/red-blent-workshop/hastings.

Winetopia

7 - 8 June Wellington

26 - 27 July Auckland

Wineries from all across the country will gather to meet thousands of wine lovers, offer tastings and sell direct to the public.

Grape Days 2024

  • Marlborough: 24 June
  • Central Otago: 2 July
  • Hawke's Bay: 4 July

nzwine.com/grape-days

The Bragato Research Institute programme digs into the future of plant breeding, rootstocks and drought tolerance, canopy management, Pinot Noir, and the impact of vineyard practices in the winery.

WinePro

25 - 27 June

winepro.co.nz

The inaugural WinePro Expo and conference in Blenheim is stacked with technology already at play in New Zealand's wine industry, emerging innovations being trialled in vineyards and wineries, and audacious aspirations for future breakthroughs. The event includes top suppliers alongside a compelling speaker series, with subjects flowing from AI in wine to vineyard redevelopment, and from industry electrification to climate ramifications.

Aotearoa Regional Wine Competition

27 - 28 July (Judging)

wine.theshow.co.nz

The Aotearoa Regional Wine Competition is focused on championing and promoting New Zealand's regional uniqueness. Chaired by Jim Harré, with a panel of experienced judges. Entries close on 10 July.

Young Winemaker National Final

27 August

nzwine.com/en/events/young-winemaker

Regional competitions for the 2024 Tonnellerie de Mercurey Young Winemaker of the Year competition will run throughout New Zealand in July and August, folowed by the National Final on 27 August at Foley Wine's The Runholder in Wairarapa. 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

There are five regional competitions for New Zealand Young Viticulturist of the Year 2024, with the National Final held at Escarpment in Wairarapa on 28 August. The winner will be announced at the Altogether Unique 2024 Celebration Dinner in Wellington. Last year's winner was Tai Nelson from Soljans Estate in Auckland. Matt Fox, the 2013 national winner and Chair of the Young Viticulturist National Committee, says the competition was a great platform to grow his career. "I'm keen to help many more young viticulturists flourish and progress their careers in an industry I'm passionate about."

Tai Nelson Photo Credit Amber Soljan FBTW

Tai Nelson

Altogether Unique 2024

29 - 30 August

nzwine.com/en/events/altogether-unique-2024

Altogether Unique 2024 will bring winemakers, grape growers and industry partners to Wellington, to gather, network and celebrate New Zealand's wine industry while learning about the insights and innovations. The programme includes the Wine Business Forum and Celebration Dinner on 29 August, followed by the Women in Wine Breakfast and the inaugural Research and Innovation Forum on 30 August.

Altogether Unique FBTW

 

Best of Wine Tourism Awards

4 September

hawkesbaytourism.nz

As part of the Great Wine Capitals programme, the inaugural Hawke's Bay Best of Wine Tourism awards will celebrate excellence and innovation in the region's wine tourism industry across seven categories, including accommodation, culinary experiences, and sustainable wine tourism practices. Local category winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on 4 September, with one outstanding winner then named a global winner at a gala dinner in Verona, Italy, in October. Applications close at 5pm on 14 June.

Aotearoa New Zealand Chardonnay Symposium

26 - 27 September

hawkesbaywine.co.nz

The 2024 Symposium, to be held at Toi Toi in Hastings, will offer informative case studies, inspiring speakers, and an expansive tasting programme. It will investigate the nuanced role of 'place' in New Zealand Chardonnay. This lens will be applied to all aspects of winemaking from the bedrock through to the consumer via technical and cultural enquiry.

Chardonnay Symposium FBTW

 

40 Vintages

9 October

Richard Brimer is marking 40 Vintages of photographs - capturing the people and places of wine - with an exhibition at Arts Inc Heretaunga, opening on 9 October and sponsored by Hawke's Bay Winegrowers.

NZSVO Technical Workshop

15 October

nzsvo.org.nz/technical-workshops

Divided into five sessions, the New Zealand Society for Viticulture and Oenology 2024 workshop, themed Keeping it Fresh, will weave its way through the complex wine sector, touching on 'fresh thinking' at every stop. Set in Blenheim, the workshop will consider unique perspectives, technology and trials, wine trends, packaging innovations and consumer facing strategies.

National Wine Awards of Aotearoa New Zealand

3 November

nationalwineawards.co.nz

The Awards of Excellence Long Luncheon in Auckland celebrates trophy winners in the National Wine Awards of Aotearoa New Zealand, which is the country's newest and only national wine competition, says convenor Jo Gear. "Under the stewardship of the same team that organised the Royal Easter Show Wine Awards, New Zealand's longest running wine show, it brings the best of this epic heritage together with focussed ambitions for the future, with the purpose of identifying, celebrating and elevating excellence in New Zealand wine." Entries open 12 August and close 6 September.

wine awards FBTW

 

Pinot Noir New Zealand 2025

11 - 13 February 2025

pinotnz.co.nz

Head to Ōtautahi to meet passionate Pinot Noir producers from around New Zealand's winegrowing regions, listen to experts from here and abroad, and explore the reasons New Zealand Pinot Noir is so distinctive.

Save the Date - ICCWS

iccws2026.nz

25 - 28 January 2026

The 11th International Cool Climate Wine Symposium will be held in Ōtautahi Christchurch in January 2026, offering tastings and insights from cool climate regions, here and abroad.

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