Top 10 Reasons to Go to Winetopia 2025
Published: Wednesday 3 September 2025
Immerse yourself in the very best of the New Zealand wine scene with a two-day celebration of everything vinous: tastings, talks, chef pop-ups, live music and more!
1) Win Big: Anniversary Prize Pool
It’s Winetopia’s 10th anniversary celebration and they’re giving away the presents! When you purchase tickets to Winetopia, you’ll be automatically entered into the Prize Pool to win a luxury five-star hotel stay over the weekend, Spiegelau glassware and tickets to the Ten Years Young Masterclasses (T&Cs apply). Pro tip: share the event to earn bonus entries in the draw.
2) The Best NZ Wineries All Under One Roof
Sip from more than 50 premium New Zealand wineries in a giant pop-up cellar door experience. Laid out by region, wander through the premium brands of Central Otago, move up through Marlborough, sample boutique labels from Martinborough, then head onwards to Hawke’s Bay and Auckland...you get the idea!
3) Make a Meal of It
Between tastings, feast on delicious dishes from award-winning restaurants running kitchens at the event:
- Spiga – fine Italian cuisine from the two-hatted Remuera restaurant
- Nanam – Filipino cuisine with a contemporary edge, newly listed in the Cuisine Good Food Guide
- Hazy Tiger – cutting-edge Korean food (great with a glass of Pinot Gris!)
4) Extraordinary Vintages and New Releases
Taste extraordinary vintages from across the country, try the latest releases and buy your new favourites to take home directly from winery teams. If you’re quick, you may even secure a seat at our Ten Years Young Masterclasses, where you can taste special wines cellared since 2016 - the year of the first Winetopia Auckland event.
5) Share a Glass, Share a Moment
Enjoy entertainment (with wine) on the Main Stage, hosted by MC and comedian Ben Hurley, with live music at the end of each session. Something particularly special is “Share a Glass,” where everyone in the audience is poured the same wine as the special guest on stage. You’ll literally sip what they’re sipping while they share great stories, including those from one of the country’s rock-star winemakers, Sir John Kirwan.
6) Golden Coin Wines
Sample some of the nation’s most awarded wines with our Golden Coins – these stunners have all scored 96 points or more in credible reviews and retail for over $100 a bottle. Hardly ever opened for sale by the glass, with some Golden Coins you can try taste of these celebrated wines and vintages right here at Winetopia.
7) Bubbles On the Rise
Discover the best of New Zealand’s bubbles. With more than a dozen producers this year showcasing their delightful sparkling wines, it’s proving that Aotearoa’s Méthode Traditionnelle is on the up. Exclusive preview: VILAURA is debuting their special 2022 Marlborough Méthode Traditionnelle Rosé at Winetopia before it hits the shelves!
8) Have An Excellent Time and You Might Just Learn Something New Too
Connect with a vibrant community of winemakers, educators, presenters, and passionate enthusiasts. Each session features scheduled lineups on the Main Stage and the Premium Lounge Stage. You can catch top tips from wine writer Joelle Thomson and wine adventuress Mermaid Mary or pick up practical food-and-wine pairings from chefs.
9) Scan the Label, Save Your Eyes
Make every sip count with the new Winetopia App, coming to your phones this October. Purchasing tasting coins has never been easier, then scan the wines you love to log details, rate your experience, and save favourites to revisit later. It’s the easiest way to remember what you tasted and what to take home.
10) Make It a Weekend
It’s fun! This makes the start of an ideal weekend adventure in the City of Sails: learn, laugh, taste, and celebrate. Get your crew together for the most wonderful wine experience of the year!
