8 wine festivals, harvest celebrations, and food-and-wine events — with dates, tickets, and travel tips.
Festivals worth planning a trip around.
New Zealand's longest-running wine festival, held annually among the vines at Brancott Estate since 1985. Over 40 Marlborough wineries and local food producers set up in the vineyard, with live music and cooking demonstrations. The definitive celebration of the world's Sauvignon Blanc capital.
View festival detailsA 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 detailsA weekend of food and wine events across 30+ Hawke's Bay wineries and restaurants. Each venue creates a unique event — from long-table lunches in barrel halls to seafood picnics in the vines. The region's Art Deco heritage and Mediterranean climate add a distinctive character unlike any other NZ wine event.
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 detailsA three-day celebration of Central Otago Pinot Noir in the stunning Queenstown Lakes district. Masterclasses, vineyard lunches, and a grand tasting showcase wines from the world's southernmost wine region. The spectacular alpine scenery and adventure tourism make this a wine-and-adventure combination unlike any other.
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.
Marlborough Wine & Food Festival
Seek out the small-production Sauvignon Blanc tables from Greywacke and Cloudy Bay's experimental batches—they rarely appear elsewhere. Book a Thursday evening pre-festival tasting at a boutique producer like Fromm or Seresin; the festival crowd doesn't hit until Friday, giving you private access to winemakers.
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.
Hawke's Bay Food & Wine Classic
The barrel-hall long-table lunches at Te Muna Road Road or Craggy Range book out weeks ahead—reserve immediately upon announcement. Skip the main festival grounds and instead focus on the individual venue events; the Syrah and Merlot-focused tastings at smaller producers like Black Barn offer better value and less crowding than the central tasting area.
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.