Events

Growing the future of the New Zealand wine industry. 

The Young Viticulturist of the Year Competition is now in its fifteenth year. This initiative provides a fantastic opportunity for Young Viticulturists (30 years or under) to upskill, grow in confidence, widen their network and start making a name for themselves within the industry.

The competition is based on six regional competitions, culminating in a national final. Please visit the website for a full list of all region competition dates and full terms and conditions. 

Education Days will run around the country during June to help prepare the contestants for the competition. 

The contestants must undergo a mix of practical and theoretical questions which include pruning, netting, machinery, pests and diseases, budgeting, nutrition, wine knowledge, trellising and an interview. They go head to head in the BioStart Hortisports race, a quickfire buzzer round and also give a speech at the awards dinner.  

It is a tough but rewarding experience and the winner certainly earns the prestigious title of Corteva Young Viticulturist of the Year. There are also some amazing prizes to be won at the regional and national competition.

The competition is run entirely on the generosity of sponsors who not only support the competition financially but also with their time and expertise.  A huge thank you to the competition's National sponsors.

This competition began in 2005 and is open to all young vits, (30 years or under). For contestants it is a chance to pit themselves against their peers, through a range of practical and theoretical situations. For all who take part, it is a confidence and skill builder that is transferred back into the country’s vineyards. Competitions are held in six regions around New Zealand before the national final.

To register for one of the Young Viticulturist Education days click HERE.

Please note this link is only accessible to members. If you are not an nzwine member and wish to receive more info about our Education Days please email [email protected]

The Marlborough Wine Show is an event dedicated to showcasing and celebrating NewZealand’s leading wine region. It reviews and assesses wines produced from a minimum of 95% Marlborough grapes, using three panels of experienced judges led by Chair, Jack Glover and rewards top-performing wines with trophies, gold, silver and bronze medals. 

2019 Trophy Results

2018 Trophy Results

All Marlborough Wine Show Results

The Marlborough Wine Show reviews and assesses wines produced from a minimum of 95% Marlborough grapes, using three panels of experienced judges led by Chair, Jack Glover and rewards top-performing wines with trophies, gold, silver and bronze medals. The show provides a relevant, credible platform for producers to promote their wines and is also a celebration of excellence – not only of the wines, but of the Marlborough industry as a whole.

The Marlborough Wine Show was established in 2011 to demonstrate to international media and markets, the significant sub-regional and style diversity of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and to showcase the region’s wide range of other grape varieties and respective wine styles.

For emerging winemakers, the Tonnellerie de Mercurey Young Winemaker of the Year Competition is an opportunity to strengthen their skills and become future leaders within the winemaking community.

Founded in Marlborough in 2014, the competition has grown to become an important event for the wine industry. It is open to anyone aged 30 or under who is involved in wine production.

Contestants are tested on a wide range of skills and knowledge, all relating to winemaking.

The winner of the Tonnellerie de Mercurey Marlborough Young Winemaker of the Year Competition will carry on to compete in the National final against the other regions.

The competition is made possible thanks to the generosity of our National sponsors.  

The role of the Tonnellerie de Mercurey NZ Young Winemaker of the Year Competition is to support up and coming winemakers, create networking opportunities and build a strong emerging Young Winemaker community. 

Now in its sixth year, the competition is open to those under 30 involved with wine production. This includes cellar hands, cellar managers, those working in the laboratory, assistant winemakers and winemakers. If places are available, those studying for a degree in winemaking may also be able to compete and are certainly welcome to any associated events.

The Young Winemaker competition aims to help ambitious and passionate young people become future leaders of the NZ wine industry.  It is a fantastic opportunity for emerging young winemakers to grow, develop and advance their careers.

The competition tests the contestants on a wide range of skills and knowledge required in the winemaking process.  For example blending, laboratory tests, viticultural knowledge, tasting analysis, Health & Safety, presentation skills and market knowledge.

In 2020 there will be three regional finals - North Island (held in Hawke's Bay), Marlborough and Central Otago. The winner from each will then go through to represent their region in the National Final. 

The 2020 competition dates, terms and conditions, and entry details will be released soon!
Contact Nicky Grandorge [email protected] for any queries.

Marlborough is home to more than 30 Cellar Doors, attracting local and international visitors by their thousands.

The Marlborough Cellar Door and Cellar Door Personality of the Year awards were established to not only celebrate the very visual face of the wine industry, but to ensure that the Marlborough wine story is proudly shared by all.

Each year, the cellar doors and hosts are scored by a number of mystery shoppers before the hosts compete in a quick-fire buzzer quiz relating to Marlborough’s wine industry at an industry get-together.

2019 Cellar Door of the Year: Cloudy Bay 

2019 Cellar Door Personality of the Year: Joint Winners Blair Macdonald from Bladen Wines and Nina Huria-Bryce from Yealands. 

2018 Cellar Door of the Year: Forrest Wines.

2018 Cellar Door Personality of the Year: Karen Marchant of Whitehaven WinesWhitehaven Wines.

Each year, the cellar doors and hosts are scored by a number of mystery shoppers before the hosts compete in a quick-fire buzzer quiz relating to Marlborough’s wine industry at an industry get-together.

Key dates
Judging: October-November 2019
Final round and celebration: November 2019

For more information please contact: [email protected]

As Marlborough celebrates the release of new vintages, the Wineworks Wine Race is intent on getting those releases to the market in Wellington. But to do so they have to cross one of the world’s most notorious stretches of water – Cook Strait.

The Wine Race is hosted by the Waikawa Boating Club, with wineries partnering with privately owned yachts. Two divisions head up Wellington Harbour, veer round Somes Island and finish just out from Seaview Marina where Lowry Bay Yacht Club welcomes the fleet.

Since the race began in 2001, it has not only grown in size but vigour. This event has become a highlight on the New Zealand Offshore race calendar.

The Marlborough regions first new vintage Sauvignon blanc launch and the race was held on the 11th of September 2001 and was followed by a gala trade tasting of the regions new vintage Sauvignon blanc wines. 

Wineries wishing to enter can contact Wine Marlborough or Waikawa Boating Club.

For further information, please contact:                                     
Waikawa Boating Club
Phone: 03 573 6798                               
Email: [email protected]                                 

Results– Wineworks Marlborough Wine Race 2019 results

[email protected]     

Celebrate with us on Labour Weekend 2020! Across New Zealand, local wineries will throw open their cellar doors to celebrate this annual event, with special offers including cellar door discounts, food & wine pairings, tastings of library wines, and special releases.

Whether you want to sip, dine, stay or play, head to a wine region near you and support your local cellar doors. View the full list of events here

CELLARBRATION provides a great opportunity for wineries to collaborate, sharing cellar doors with other wineries who don’t have their own cellar doors, or creating onsite activations (wineries could share the cost) or pop-ups.

Let us know what you are planning for Cellarbration and how we can help promote your event or special tasting. Cellar doors are encouraged to use digital and marketing toolkits that have been created by New Zealand Winegrowers. Please contact [email protected]

Save the date in your diary, Saturday 13th February 2021 and please visit our website.

View our showreel of the 36th year, celebrating Marlborough's famous wineries accompanied by some of New Zealand's best Chef's and food producers.

To sign up for event ticket announcements please email [email protected]

For exhibitor, sponsorship and event ticket enquiries please email [email protected]