This Thursday, raise a glass of Hawke’s Bay wine and join the region in celebrating the first anniversary of its Great Wine Capital status.
On 23 May 2023, the region was named a Great Wine Capital of the World, joining international heavyweights such as Bordeaux, Napa Valley, South Australia, and Mendoza. One year on, the incredible accolade continues to garner national and international attention, thrusting Hawke’s Bay up the must-visit list for travel agents, writers, and visitors alike.
Hamish Saxton, Chief Executive Officer for Hawke’s Bay Tourism, said being a Great Wine Capital is a truly global recognition for the region.
“As more and more regions recognise the value of culinary tourism, our status as the newest Great Wine Capital of the world is the best evidence yet that we are New Zealand’s Food and Wine Country," said Saxton.
“We invite everyone to join us this Thursday, 23 May, in raising a glass of Hawke’s Bay wine to celebrate the first anniversary of the region officially joining the world’s elite wine tourism destinations.”
Admission to the Great Wine Capitals Global Network was a timely and critical boost to the region following the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle. It came only after a stringent selection process, which looked at the region’s winegrowing industry, history, wine tourism, educational opportunities, business, and travel, as well as the cities of Hastings and Napier themselves.
Brent Linn, Executive Officer for Hawke’s Bay Wine Growers, said membership of the Great Wine Capitals network had endorsed Hawke’s Bay’s reputation as one of the world’s premium wine regions.
“Great Wine Capitals membership has enabled our members to access valuable connections and relationships that support their wine businesses, while telling the story of Hawke’s Bay wine to a global audience,” said Linn.
The accolade has also been instrumental in securing multiple opportunities for knowledge exchange across the region’s wine industry. Recently, 12 Hawke’s Bay wines were selected as New Zealand’s first wines to be available for tastings at the world-famous Cité Du Vin, a cultural venue dedicated to wine in Bordeaux, France.
Ben Tombs, Chief Winemaker for Craggy Range, said Great Wine Capitals status was an incredible achievement for the region to be collectively awarded.
“Hawke’s Bay has many iconic vineyards producing fine wine, and it’s fantastic for our identity to be recognised globally,” said Ben.
To celebrate the anniversary milestone, Hawke’s Bay Airport has invited arriving and departing passengers on Thursday to raise a glass at a Bellatino’s Aeroporto wine tasting between 2 pm and 5 pm.
To read more bar and beverage news, click here.
