Pinot Noir New Zealand 2025

New Zealand’s peak Pinot Noir conference was hosted in Ōtautahi Christchurch for the first time, featuring 79 top New Zealand pinot noir producers and over 400 delegates including international wine writers, influencers, media, and speakers.

The conference featured New Zealand producers representing eight distinct regions, offering attendees a comprehensive insight into the country's diverse pinot noir landscape.

Established in 2001, Pinot Noir New Zealand 2025 took place for the first time in eight years. This year’s much anticipated gathering recognised New Zealand’s deep connection not only to the pinot noir grape, but also to the land, the climate and the people involved with the industry.

This event also marked the first time the conference had been hosted in the South Island, and the region provided a stunning backdrop for attendees.

Over three days, the event generated an estimated visitor spend of $1.07M, enhancing Christchurch’s city and regional profile as a cultural and culinary destination.

The programme included a number of plenary sessions, with inspiring speakers sharing thought-provoking content celebrating the New Zealand industry’s aspirations of place, care, and the time to come. The strong indigenous themes connected people, place and culture.

A highlight of the event was the emphasis on “whanaungatanga,” a Māori concept reflecting kinship and a sense of family connection. This theme underscored the conference’s focus on reconnection, kinship and hospitality, fostering an environment where participants could engage deeply with both the wines and the people behind them.

Delegates were encouraged to learn about their own connection to the land they came from; the closest mountains, rivers and sea – emphasising the importance of the environment.

Day two focused on care – future considerations for the health, and livelihood of the environment, kaitiakitanga (guardianship), and what this means to the wine community and how this is woven into everything it does.

The final day looked at what’s next for the industry and ā mua (the time to come). It provided a commercial lens on New Zealand pinot noir and the opportunities waiting on the world stage. The day included two major tastings, ‘Inspiration’ and ‘Aspiration’.

The programme was designed to enhance the culture and unique stories of New Zealand pinot noir by connecting strongly with a sense of place and creating wow experiences throughout the programme.

During the conference, Christchurch also hosted Pinot Palooza, bringing 400 local consumers into the celebration of all things Pinot.

This was an exciting chance for the public to join in, building on the 12th annual Pinot Palooza also taking place in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in 2025.

The region’s best produce, creative chefs and incredible venues were on show to experience each day of the conference.

Christchurch Town Hall hosted a special hāngi lunch and exclusive wine tasting for showcasing the region's local produce.

In the hāngi pits outside the Town Hall Auditorium, meat and vegetables were cooked using the traditional Māori method, resulting in a spectacular lunch crafted with local produce from the Waitaha Canterbury region and a unique dining experience.

UK expert Roger Jones writing in The Buyer said “The Pinot Noir New Zealand 2025 conference…took us on a magical heavenly culinary experience, showcasing the very best that this unique country brings. I have never before encountered the traditional Māori hangi... Two kilo wild crayfish wrapped in seaweed, abalone, the unique muttonbird (or tītī in Māori) all cooked overnight in a pit.”

The following evening, ChristchurchNZ hosted 80 VIP guests to a high-end event filled with wow moments to celebrate and showcase the city to wine writers, influencers and buyers. It featured a carefully curated selection of North Canterbury’s finest wines, brews and gin paired with an exceptional menu crafted by local culinary legend Jonny Schwass.

Set against the stunning heritage backdrop of Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre, the evening highlighted Christchurch’s unique balance of history with modern sophistication. with beautifully restored historic venues alongside cutting-edge event facilities, showcased the city’s unparalleled mix of character and contemporary capability.

Guests were taken on a journey through Christchurch’s iconic sights, beginning with a heritage tram tour from Te Pae Christchurch and finishing at the Arts Centre where they gathered in the North Quad. Guests were seated outdoors where the chef cooked on an open fire as the sun set.

One guest said “In my 30 years…this was up there with the best I have experienced”.

The next day, the conference’s Gala Dinner showcased in-season and locally sourced food curated and cooked by celebrated chef Giulio Sturla from Mapu in Lyttelton, who scaled up his usually intimate style of cooking for six guests to cooking for over 400.

Throughout the conference, ChristchurchNZ worked with local hot spots to curate a personalised delegate experience, ensuring guests knew where to go in their down time and could fully enjoy the city. With an optional hop-on-hop-off self-guided tram experience, delegates could work their way around a selection of the city’s top bars and restaurants with delegate pass offers and discounts.