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Aotearoa NZ Chardonnay Symposium

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Aotearoa NZ Chardonnay Symposium

National forum for discussion & Exploration of Chardonnay in Aotearoa.

26.09 - 27.09 2024 Hastings

06/09/2026

You never know who you might wind up sharing a table with at the Aotearoa Chardonnay Symposium! It could be a seasoned winemaker who's seen 40 odd vintages, a young viticulturist attending for the first time on a scholarship, or perhaps Hawke's Bay's own wine media superstar Yvonne Lorkin!

No matter where you land, we can guarantee compelling conversation and fruitful new connections will be made. Community is at the core of our programming.

Just 10 days until we kick things off - secure your place NOW.

17 - 18 September 2026
Aotearoa Chardonnay Symposium
Toitoi, Hastings
Registration now open, see link in bio.

04/09/2026

Dr Chandré Honeth from the Eastern Institute of Technology has a strong commitment to developing student understanding of grapevine function, while also contributing to viticulture research aimed at supporting the local industry.

Over two days of symposium programming Chandré will share some of this research with us, contributing to presentations of two trials that have been undertaken specifically for the Aotearoa Chardonnay Symposium.

17 - 18 September 2026
Aotearoa Chardonnay Symposium
Toitoi, Hastings

01/09/2026

There weren't many dry eyes in the room at our 2024 Symposium when Sherwyn Veldhuizen presented a profound presentation, case study, and tasting on the vineyard and winery Bell Hill she works with husband Marcel.

These are the moments that you have to be in the room for and the dial-moving conversations that are fostered at the Aotearoa Chardonnay Symposium. Kicking off in just two weeks, there is still time for a last-minute registration.

17 - 18 September 2026
Aotearoa Chardonnay Symposium
Toitoi, Hastings

31/08/2026

Introducing Dr Chandré Honeth, senior lecturer and researcher at The Eastern Institute of Technology. She attained a PhD in Viticulture from the University of Stellenbosch and subsequently moved to Hawke’s Bay to focus on education in the field.

Chandré will present research findings and a tasting following an EIT & BRI trial undertaken for the Chardonnay Symposium investigating leaf coverage and it's relationship with quality.

17 - 18 September 2026
Aotearoa Chardonnay Symposium
Toitoi, Hastings
Registration now open, see link in bio.

29/08/2026

Chardonnay makers, growers, marketers - this is the room to be in!

Time is of the essence for you to secure a spot, there are just 18 days until our third Aotearoa Chardonnay Symposium kicks off!

Aotearoa Chardonnay Symposium
17/09 - 18/09
Toitoi, Hastings

28/08/2026

This crew is working hard behind the scenes getting all the programming ready for you - just 3 weeks left until they can share it all!

Be it importing wines, collating flights, chasing presentations, negotiating catering, writing runsheets, or any one of the panoply of other tasks that goes into making an event of this scale happen - this team is on it.

Any questions for the crew, just drop a dm here or email [email protected]

Aotearoa Chardonnay Symposium
17/09 - 18/09
Toitoi, Hastings

26/08/2026

Ex-sommelier with an unused law degree, Stephen found his place in wine through hospitality and education; advising restaurants and hotels on their wine programmes, providing training courses for industry and running masterclasses.

Since gaining his MW in 2016, he has been active on the Institute’s education committee and is currently co-chair of their Diversity and Transformation Committee as well as the 2026 MW Symposium Committee. He judges several wine shows a year, speaks at conferences, writes for Cuisine and The Real Review, and represents New Zealand wines for NZ Winegrowers internationally, as well as being the NZ ambassador of the VDP.

And we're delighted to have him back in the mix as co-MC in 2026!

17 - 18 September 2026
Aotearoa Chardonnay Symposium
Toitoi, Hastings
Registration now open, see link in bio.

25/08/2026

Three weeks to go - time to register ASAP!

Aotearoa Chardonnay Symposium
17/09 - 87/09
Toitoi, Hastings

24/08/2026

Surprise - we have two MCs! The wonderful Stephen Wong MW is returning to join Emma at the lectern and guide us through two days of dense Symposium programming. As MCs, they'll be in conversation with our speakers and panellists throughout the week, helping unpack the ideas behind this year's theme of Quality.

Together, we'll explore the defining characteristics of Aotearoa Chardonnay, examining how our whenua, climate and philosophy combine to produce wines of exceptional quality, texture and balance, and what it will take to continue raising the benchmark for generations to come.

23/08/2026

Come Celebrate! The Welcome Gathering is open to the wine community, regardless of whether you are attending the Symposium.

Wednesday 16 September
Peak House, From 4:30pm
Tickets available now!

🎪
🍷BYO chardonnay

An intentionally BYO event, guests are invited to bring a bottle of Chardonnay to share and enjoy a relaxed evening accompanied by a generous grazing table. It’s an opportunity to reconnect with old friends, make new connections, and celebrate the people behind New Zealand wine before the symposium conversations begin.

Perched high above Hawke’s Bay with sweeping views across the region, Peak House provides a spectacular setting for the opening of the symposium. Carpooling is recommended given the location.

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