Taking place on September 17th and 18th in the beautiful Te Matau-a-Māui Hawke’s Bay, the symposium will be held at Toitoi: Hawke’s Bay Arts and Event Centre in Hastings.

The theme of the 2026 symposium is quality, focusing on the unique features that define our whenua (land), climate, and philosophy, and how these elements come together to enable the production of premium Chardonnay.

Together, we will delve into what makes quintessentially great Aotearoa Chardonnay, and explore how we can consistently craft wines that exhibit exceptional quality, texture and balance.

TESTIMONIALS FROM THE 2024 SYMPOSIUM:

Several of the best wine conferences I have ever been part of have occurred here in New Zealand. And now, another one. The commitment to grow, seek insight, welcome each other, learn from multiple types of intelligence or training, and collaborate as a community exceeds any other place I have visited. It draws me back again and again. Every time I feel deep gratitude, humility and pride all brought together. 

To be welcomed by the people I know here who are generous, genuine, kind, in other words people I so admire, feels like the greatest compliment I could imagine. This community is a blessing.

— Elaine Chukan Brown, Wine Writer & Educator

What an incredible couple of days at the Aotaroa Chardonnay Symposium in Hawkes Bay- exploring ‘sense of place’. So valuable to gather as an industry to question, share and challenge to help New Zealand’s success with the much loved Chardonnay grape move from strength to strength. Now in its second year, a passionate committee shaped yet another thought provoking couple of days , and have already set the date for the third edition in September 2026. Kudos for amassing such a fabulous speaker line up.

Loved how Tikanga Māori was thoughtfully threaded throughout. We’re all departing for home now mind buzzing with Chardonnay thoughts and the huge opportunity out there to get our stunning examples into wine glasses all over the world!

— Charlotte Read, General Manager Brand NZ Wine 

What an excellent event Aotearoa Chardonnay Symposium was. Two days of tasting, comparing and discussing Chardonnay in its many expressions. It’s been a wonderful opportunity to listen to and learn from an amazing line up of speakers and meet and reconnect with people in the New Zealand wine industry.

— Jackie Jubels, Sommelier & Horticentre Scholarship Recipient

Join us for this collaborative forum for the Aotearoa wine community to assess our current standing and chart our path forward in the journey to produce exceptional Chardonnay.