Programme

Be here next year 💚

“Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand 2027 is a celebration of collaboration, creativity and the iconic global reputation of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc,” says Natalie Christensen, SBNZ27 Chair. “We’re inviting the world to be here and experience the people, places and ideas shaping the future, as we explore the depth and diversity of our Sauvignon Blanc like never before,”

Aotearoa, New Zealand. Our place to stand, our source of strength and identity. Our tūrangawaewae.
Wairau, Ngā Wai-rau o Ruatere/Ngā Riu o Ruatere
Ngā Wairau o Ruatere refers to ‘the many/hundred waters of Ruatere’, referring to the confluence of waterways in the Marlborough region, given the means of travel post occupational settlement were via the myriad of waterways present, and providing a rich array of cultivations, shellfish, fish and bird life.

Be here next year to explore the unexpected, uncover the undiscovered, and hear the untold stories behind this iconic varietal. It's a true celebration of the best - raw, real, and remarkably New Zealand.

Programme details are subject to change.

Tuesday 2 February

Day 1 - Origin. Spirit of place.

Aotearoa, New Zealand. Our place to stand, our source of strength and identity. Our tūrangawaewae. Wild, pure, and alive, it is from this whenua that the soul of our Sauvignon Blanc is born. We ground ourselves in the stories, people, and heritage that give New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc its unmistakable spirit of place.

8:00 - 9:00 am

Registration and Networking

9:00 - 10:30 am

Plenary 1: Aotearoa - Spirit of Place
Conference-style sessions featuring inspirational voices from New Zealand and around the world. Thought leaders, producers, and storytellers celebrate the unique qualities of our place. During this session, our incredible speakers will connect you to Aotearoa's spirit of place. Expect stories stretching from our stars (ngā whetū), down through our ancestral history and soaring landscapes, to the very soils (te oneone) that sustain us.

10:30 - 11:15 am

Morning Break: Kai time

Time for food! Enjoy some mid-morning refreshments and enjoy a relaxed chat with the community.

11:15 - 1:00 pm

Plenary 2: Aotearoa's iconic place - what stands us apart? What the MW's think...

New Zealand produces just a fraction of the world’s wine, yet our Sauvignon Blanc commands an unparalleled presence on the world stage. Aotearoa's Iconic Place - What Stands Us Apart?
To kick off this session, we will hear from our first international speaker who will explore international perceptions of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. How our unique cultural values, geographic isolation, and natural environment translate into a powerful global, and unmistakable, presence. We will look at how New Zealand's Sauvignon Blanc reshaped international expectations of what white wine could be, establishing a new global benchmark for vibrancy, freshness, and expressiveness that continues to excite.

Two of New Zealand's iconic MWs will then dig a bit deeper. Discussing regional, sub-regional diversity and terroir, and the impact that can be felt in New Zealand's distinctive Sauvignon Blanc.
A panel of Winemakers from across NZ will share how their regions profound sense of place can be experienced, tasted, and celebrated through New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Why nowhere else in the world tastes like here.

1:00 - 2:00 pm

Lunch: Influential lunch - A taste of place
Long lunch Marlborough-Style. Influential foodies join us to celebrate the social and culinary riches of Aotearoa and the connections these shared moments can spark. Expect live cooking demos from incredible local talent, including refreshingly crisp Sauvignon Blanc served with a side of mussels ... and muscles, via the talented ManCanCook.

2:00 - 5:30 pm

Participating Winery Tasting

Taste the true diversity of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Each of our participating wineries will showcase three of their distinctive Sauvignon Blancs.

Dive into the diversity, character, and innovation ... not just the wines but the makers themselves!

7:00 - 11:00 pm

Dinner: Sauvignon in the City
High-energy welcome function. Immerse yourself in the culture and spirit of Aotearoa with a lively exploration of the culinary delights Aotearoa has on offer.
This evening will certainly be one to remember... it will leave a mark! If you know, you know.

Wednesday 3 February

Day 2 – Expression. Voices of Sauvignon Blanc.

Through powerful international perspectives and local passion, we explore the power of place, the magic of terroir, and the unique qualities that shape Sauvignon Blanc, a wine that continues to captivate the world.

8:00 - 9:00 am

Registration and Networking

9:00 - 11.00 am

Plenary 3: Expression. Voices of Sauvignon Blanc.

Founder of Drinks Insider and Editorial Director of Areni Global, Felicity Carter brings her global perspective to the conversation, exploring where New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc stands today and what lies ahead...

“New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc has had the most impressive run of any wine style of the modern era, and now it’s doing it again. With the shift towards fresher, lighter white wines, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is perfectly placed to meet the moment.”

Jermaine Stone @realwolfofwine will explore the evolving culture of wine in the United States. How do today's consumers connect with wine? As a leading US voice, he brings a people-first perspective, blending culture, creativity and storytelling to celebrate the connection between New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and contemporary audiences. Through his work as the "Street Somm", Jermaine is helping reshape American wine culture by making wine more inclusive, accessible and relevant to a new generation of drinkers.

"It’s a true honor to be part of the SBNZ27 experience in New Zealand for a few reasons. I love New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Its freshness and generous tropical character make New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc a go-to for me when I’m overwhelmed by a big wine list. In my eyes, New Zealand is the undisputed king of the category. To really understand wine, you have to become a citizen of the world. I’ve learned through travel that when you experience a wine in its terroir, you gain a completely different level of appreciation for it, and I can’t wait for that moment in New Zealand. This is an incredible opportunity, and I’m both excited and humbled to be part of it."

Jermaine will then lead a panel discussion featuring influential guests from across the US sharing perspectives on wine culture, perceptions of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and what could / should lay ahead.

11:00 - 12:00 pm

Morning Break: Kai time
Time for food! Enjoy some mid-morning refreshments and enjoy a relaxed chat with the community.

12:00 - 1:00 pm

Plenary 4: Value of place

Charlotte Dagueneau, Daughter of the late Didier Dagueneau will share the story of her father's transformative impact on Pouilly-Fumé, where he challenged convention and redefined what Sauvignon Blanc could be. Charlotte brings a deeply personal connection to the grape, along with a thoughtful, independent perspective on New Zealand shaped by her own journey in wine.
Continuing stories of sucessfull and iconic disruption, we will explore New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc's story of evolution, innovation and boldness.

1:30 - 2:30 pm

Lunch: Vibey long lunch

2:30 - 6:00 pm

Participating Winery Tasting (the other one!)

Today you will experience the other winery tasting ... If you went coastal yesterday ... expect rural today - and vice-versa!

6:30 - onwards

Dinner at my Place

Our participating wineries have crafted a diverse and thoughtful collection of experiences, inviting attendees to a Dinner at my Place.
Select one of the unique experiences on offer and be hosted by one of our incredible participating wineries for an evening of culinary, cultural and memorable experiences.

Thursday 4 February

Day 3 - Horizons. What is yet to be discovered.

A powerful culmination of Major tastings, storytelling, and vision. Experience the full spectrum of Sauvignon Blanc from place to palate. Influential voices share their insights on where New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is heading, and how we can influence its journey. Celebrate our origins, savour the now, and sample a taste of what is yet to be discovered.

8:00 - 9:00 am

Registration

9:00 - 10:30 am

Major Tasting 1: Global Sauvignon Blanc Icons

The first of our two major tastings is a celebration of the iconic, inspirational, and worldwide journey of Sauvignon Blanc. Explore six wines that successfully disrupted, challenged, and broadened the world's perception of white-white. Wines that pushed boundaries and explored what Sauvignon Blanc could really be. We will discuss the impact of these icons on New Zealand’s story to date, and how New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc meets these wines at their iconic benchmark.

10:30 - 11:30 am

Morning Break: Hearty feed to set you up

11:30 - 12:30 pm	Plenary 5: Horizons for New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc A panel of global sommeliers delve into a candid and forward-looking exploration of New Zealand’s place in their place! As the ultimate bridge between production and global consumer behavior, our panel will analyse the distinct wine cultures of key international markets and how New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc pairs. Where New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is hitting, and what opportunities are yet to be explored.
12:30 - 2:30 pm	Major Tasting 2: Sensory, subregional, exploration - discover what's ahead Led by our senses, explore New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc like never before. Expect a taste of sub-regional, innovative, challenging, iconic, and memorable wines.
2:30 - 4:00 pm	Free time to prep for the evening
4:00 - late	The Bluff: Depart to the unknown ... expect the unexpected