Top wine tasting events great for Aotearoa as borders open

Te Whanganui-a-Tara - New Zealand’s tastiest and most extravagant celebration of wine, Winetopia, is being launched in Te Whanganui-a-Tara this week and further top events will be held over the coming months.

American novelist and filmmaker Rex Pickett, best known for his novel Sideways, which was adapted into a 2004 box office hit name, will be appearing at all three Winetopia events in Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland. 

Pickett is in New Zealand to write a follow up to Sideways and will explain more during the Wellington and Christchurch events.  

Winetopia organisers will also provide a new event experience, date the maker, where visitors will get a few minutes to talk to some of Aotearoa’s most dazzling winemakers.

This is speed tasting at its finest and by the end of the experience visitors will have become intimate with a range of wine people from around the country.

Adding to the list of wineries heading to the capital for Winetopia Wellington are first time attendees: Amisfield, Ash Ridge, Alexander, Le Gra, Eaton, Gladstone, Hans Herzog, Hancock & Sons, Nanny Goat, Nga Waka, Sideways NZ and Takapoto.

Others taking part include Cloudy Bay, Church Hill and Escarpment alongside boutique wineries such as Esses, Tarras, and Takatu.

All wine varieties and NZ wine regions are represented from Central Otago and Marlborough to Hawkes Bay and Northland, including newer regions Horowhenua and Kaikoura.

2022 sees a strong representation from Wairarapa wineries, with seven fantastic wineries attending.  

Legendary wine guru Bob Campbell MW, New Zealand’s best known and most prolific voice in wine, as well as Stephen Wong, master of wine, who has amassed a wealth of knowledge throughout his career as a sommelier, will be speaking at the events

Visitors will be able to tour each region of the country and try all styles of wine. From Marlborough albarino to Central Otago pinot, Northland chardonnay to Hawkes Bay syrah, there will be something amazing for all tastes.

A limited number of golden coins can be purchased in advance or at the event and these will afford the attendee a taste of one of the most prestigious wines from around the country retailing at over $100 per bottle.   

The Winetopia events will take place at:

• Wellington (1-2 July) at TSB Arena, 4 Queen’s Wharf, Wellington Central

• Christchurch (26-27 August) at the new Te Pae Christchurch Convention and Exhibition Centre

• Auckland (28-29 October) at Shed 10, Queens Wharf