A Thinking Party

The most significant event on the New Zealand wine calendar. It only happens once every three years and it’s on again from the 28th to 31st January, in Wellington, next year.

Registrations have opened, so all you have to do to secure your place is click here.

There will be 112 wineries across 5 Pinot Noir producing regions who will offer over 300 wines for tasting and savouring alongside the wild foods of New Zealand.

You won’t just be eating and drinking though. Pinot Chair Alastair Maling MW suggests while there will be plenty of splendid Pinot poured he expects everyone to contribute to the talk.

“Most events have speakers where the audience just listens. Our event will have the audience debating the relevance of natural wines – or if funky means faulty, or whether terroir is more about marketing than place.”

“Kiwi winemakers love a contentious topic and we’ve sorted out some beauts.”

Naturally the international guests will be invited to join in and we can “kiss and make up” over a glass of wine.

“We have set up three days of Pinot workshops focussing on our five major Pinot regions which will unearth the stories behind our world class Pinot Noirs – but the regionality doesn’t stop at wine.

The regions have identified their very best food producers to help create memorable lunches. Each day the lunch will focus on a region. It may be salmon from Marlborough or thyme scented rabbit pie from Central Otago, lamb from the Waipara Valley, goat cheese from Nelson or crayfish from Wairarapa.

It’s all about showing the world the very best of New Zealand.

Speakers already confirmed include Jasper Morris MW, Matt Kramer, Lisa Perotti Brown MW, Tim Atkin MW, Australia’s Mike Bennie and Ned Goodwin MW from Japan. The event will be opened by Sam Neill, movie star and proprietor of Two Paddocks.

Pinot Noir is being picked and made into wine throughout the country at the moment; this is being recorded by the participating wineries. The resulting images will capture the spirit of New Zealand Pinot Noir at the event.

The first Pinot Noir Event was held in 2001. It was set up by a group of dedicated Pinot Noir producers (under the chairmanship of Richard Riddiford of Palliser Estate) to explore and celebrate the grape in New Zealand.
Held every three years in Wellington, Pinot Noir NZ has established a dedicated audience throughout the world and previous attendees include Jancis Robinson MW, Allen Meadows, Jamie Goode, Max Allen, Oz Clarke and James Halliday.

Ruth Pretty Catering has always pulled together a culinary programme including the very best Wellington restaurants using New Zealand’s finest produce. The event is supported by New Zealand Winegrowers who regard it as a hero event in the New Zealand wine calendar.

CEO Philip Gregan says Pinot Noir NZ is a springboard for overseas visitors to experience the whole of the New Zealand wine story as they often continue their New Zealand trip to absorb other regions and grape varieties.

For more information visit www.pinotnz.co.nz or you can follow @PinotNoirNZ onTwitter or Pinot NZ on Facebook.

For registration enquiries contact info@pinotnz.co.nz