Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, is set to host theGreat Wine Capitals Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) in October 2026.
The region, named a Great Wine Capital (GWC) in 2023, won the hosting rights at this year’s conference in Bordeaux. Themed A World of New, the five-day business event is expected to draw over 150 international delegates, including wine tourism travel trade, media, academics, and members from the network’s 11 global cities (including Porto, Bordeaux, and San Francisco/Napa Valley). Delegates from new Observer Member Yantai, China, will also attend.
As New Zealand’s oldest wine-growing region, Hawke’s Bay produces over 38 varietals. The conference programme will include familiarisations, knowledge exchange visits, an international wine tasting, a gala dinner, and the annual International Best of Wine Tourism Awards.
Organisers are coordinating with local taiwhenua to ensure the event incorporates appropriate tikanga (Māori protocols).
Hawke’s Bay Tourism CEO Hamish Saxton emphasised the significance: “The GWC is an influential global brand that aligns beautifully with Hawke’s Bay’s position as New Zealand’s Food and Wine Country. It’s about putting Hawkes Bay on the map as a premium wine region.”
He added that hosting the event will showcase the region’s capacity for high-quality international business events.
The 2026 conference follows other recent wine events in New Zealand, including Pinot Noir NZ in Christchurch (2025), and the upcoming International Cool Climate Wine Symposium (January 2026).
