Sample Submissions
This year, wineries have two opportunities to submit Chardonnay samples in support of the Aotearoa Chardonnay Symposium. The first is the 2026 Reference Tasting, providing keynote speakers and panellists with a benchmark tasting of the 2024 vintage ahead of the event. The second is an exclusive pre-Symposium tasting for Julia Harding MW in the UK, allowing her to explore a broader cross-section of New Zealand Chardonnay before travelling to Aotearoa.
Julia Harding MW: Pre-Symposium Tasting (UK)
This year, Julia Harding MW has expressed a particular interest in tasting New Zealand Chardonnays ahead of her visit – her first trip to Aotearoa in a decade. Wineries may submit one Chardonnay of any vintage for Julia Harding MW to taste prior to her departure for New Zealand.
- One wine per winery
- Chardonnay only
- Please select the Chardonnay that best represents your winery
- Wines MUST arrive AFTER 17 July 2026
- Wines to be shipped from your UK distributor, or sent directly to Julia at the winery’s expense
ACS Reference Tasting 2026
Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers invite all New Zealand Chardonnay producers to supply a 2024 Chardonnay wine to a reference tasting for the keynote speakers at the Aotearoa Chardonnay Symposium. This tasting offers a unique benchmarking opportunity for speakers and panellists to sample the style, breadth and quality of New Zealand Chardonnay in advance of the Symposium.
- 2024 vintage wines only
- Producers may supply only one Chardonnay per winery/brand
- Only still wines can be submitted and must be 100% from Chardonnay grapes
- Submit one bottle (or two if under cork)
- Wines will be tasted blind but presented by region