Christchurch to host 2021 Pinot Noir NZ celebration

The city of Christchurch on New Zealand’s South Island will host the next NZ Pinot Noir celebration in 2021, the first time the event will have been held in the city in its 20-year history.

Cathedral square in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Pinot Noir NZ was established in 2001 with the aim of bringing the world of Pinot Noir to New Zealand by creating an experience to “showcase everything unique about growing Pinot in Aotearoa”.

The three-day celebration is held every four years, when more than 100 New Zealand Pinot Noir producers gather, along with Pinot enthusiasts, journalists and members of the trade, to explore the country’s most popular red variety.

The last event was held in 2017 on Wellington’s waterfront and was attended by industry professional including Jancis Robinson MW, Andrea Frost and Elaine Chukan Brown.

Pinot Noir NZ 2021, which will be the sixth in its history and will also mark its 20th anniversary, will build on the 2017 event with the ongoing aim of positioning New Zealand Pinot Noir producers as international leaders of the notoriously pernickety grape variety.

“The New Zealand wine industry is becoming mature and confident, comfortable about who we are and how we talk about ourselves,” said Pinot Noir 2021 co-chair Helen Masters, winemaker at Ata Rangi in Martinborough, and NZ Winemaker of the Year 2019.

“New Zealand’s continual innovation in grape growing, winemaking and industry-wide sustainability attracts great interest on the world stage.”

For the first time in its 20-year history, the event will be hosted in Christchurch, with the committee organising a packed programme in celebration of Pinot Noir, featuring tastings, seminars and events in venues across the central city, alongside new branding.

Helen Masters explained “The committee considered a number of venues for Pinot Noir 2021, but Christchurch really stood out for its energy and collaborative approach. It’s a fascinating city, the speed with which it’s evolving makes it an extraordinary destination for our guests to explore.

“It’s also a natural mid-point for our Pinot Noir growing regions in the North and South islands. Following the appalling terrorist attack in Christchurch on Friday 15 March, we are even more committed to showing our support for the city.”

Pinot Noir 2021 will run from 23rd to the 25th of February. For more info visit pinotnz.co.nz

Pinot Noir NZ celebrations in 2017