8 wine festivals, harvest celebrations, and food-and-wine events — with dates, tickets, and travel tips.
Festivals worth planning a trip around.
A ten-day celebration of Hawke's Bay food and wine across 30+ wineries and restaurants. F.A.W.C. stands for Food and Wine Classic — each venue creates a bespoke event from long-table harvests and seafood picnics in the vines to Art Deco winery dinners. New Zealand's most diverse food-and-wine programme outside Auckland.
View festival detailsNew Zealand's most beloved wine festival transforms the village of Martinborough into a walkable open-air wine and music event each November. Over 20 Wairarapa wineries set up in the village square and surrounding lanes, with live music stages, food stalls, and picnic rugs on the lawn. The village-scale format and Pinot Noir focus make it New Zealand's most charming wine day.
View festival detailsAuckland's island wine region marks the harvest with a weekend of cellar door tastings, vineyard lunches, and barrel-room tours. Waiheke's boutique producers — Stonyridge, Cable Bay, Man O' War — pour from barrels and showcase new releases against a backdrop of island views and Hauraki Gulf beaches. A 35-minute ferry from Auckland makes it New Zealand's most accessible wine getaway.
View festival detailsAll 8 festivals organised by month.
Hawke's Bay F.A.W.C! Food & Wine Classic
The winter F.A.W.C. is less crowded and often more innovative than the summer edition. Te Mata Estate, Craggy Range, and Trinity Hill host some of the most sought-after events. Book individual events separately — there is no single festival pass.
Ticket allocation sells out within minutes of release (usually June) — sign up to the mailing list immediately. Ata Rangi, Martinborough Vineyard, and Palliser Estate pour some of New Zealand's finest Pinot Noir at the festival.
Wairarapa Wine & Food Harvest Festival
Easter is a long weekend in New Zealand — drive over the Rimutaka Range from Wellington (an hour) for a peaceful alternative to the sold-out Toast Martinborough. Dry River and Ata Rangi are among New Zealand's most highly regarded small producers.
Nelson is also New Zealand's craft hop growing centre — the hop farms of Motueka are an hour away and worth visiting. Combine with the Waimea Inlet Trail and a visit to Seifried Estate for a full Nelson wine experience.
Waiheke Island Vintage Festival
Book the first ferry over (7am) to beat the crowds. Stonyridge Larose is New Zealand's most collectible red wine — the winery opens rarely for public tastings. Man O' War offers one of NZ's most scenic vineyard settings.