Hosted in Te Matau-a-Māui Hawke’s Bay, the Aotearoa New Zealand Chardonnay Symposium brings our wine community together to taste, learn and share ideas. It is a forum to consider where we are today, and where we would like to go on our journey to make exceptional Chardonnay. 

Our vision is to create a fearless, experimental and transparent space where people can challenge thinking, share knowledge and look to the future. Together, we aim to support the production of internationally regarded Chardonnay, strengthen sustainability across the value chain, and promote Aotearoa’s place as a world-class Chardonnay producer.

Growers, winemakers, researchers, wine writers and trade join leading local and international speakers to explore what makes exceptional Chardonnay. Through tastings, practical research, producer stories and open discussion, the Symposium connects what happens in the vineyard and winery with how our wines are understood and enjoyed around the world.

Since the inaugural event in 2023, three Symposia have explored different aspects of Chardonnay. The first brought technical knowledge and international perspectives together to consider New Zealand Chardonnay’s place in the world. In 2024, Sense of Place examined the landscapes, people and decisions that shape our wines. In 2026, the focus turned to Quality, exploring how we define, achieve and communicate it.

At the heart of every Symposium is a commitment to learning together, questioning what we know and building on what we discover. It is also an opportunity to strengthen connections and celebrate the wines and people behind Aotearoa Chardonnay.