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Best Of Wine Tourism Awards 2026 Winners Announced

Seven Hawke’s Bay winners recognised and nominated for global awards

Best Of Wine Tourism Awards Winners 2026

The winners of the 2026 Great Wine Capitals Best Of Wine Tourism awards have been announced, recognising seven Hawke’s Bay businesses for their outstanding contributions to wine tourism.

These awards shine a light on the diversity, innovation, and quality of the visitor experiences that continue to position Hawke’s Bay as New Zealand’s Food and Wine Country and one of the world’s Great Wine Capitals.

The Best Of Wine Tourism Awards celebrate businesses that create exceptional visitor experiences across seven categories, from architecture and culture to sustainability and culinary innovation. Winners from each region now go forward to compete for a global Best Of Wine Tourism award, judged by an international panel, to be announced at the Great Wine Capitals Gala dinner in Bordeaux, France this October.

This year’s Hawke’s Bay winners are:

The judging panel comprised Anna King Shahab a renowned food, wine and travel writer, Lee Brown, Head of Operations at Hospitality NZ, and Anna Neilson, Chief Executive of Destination Wairarapa and Classic New Zealand Wine Trail partner.

Judge Anna King Shahab said the calibre of entries was stronger than ever: “With a healthy increase in entries this year, the diversity of wine tourism experiences on display was fantastic to see. Nothing was a shoo-in – there was stiff competition in every category and for that, all entrants should be proud. It looks like assessing entries is going to get tougher every year, which excites me greatly.”

Fellow judge Lee Brown added: “As a first-time judge, I was inspired by the depth of Hawke’s Bay wine tourism offerings, with each experience showcasing creativity and a genuine passion for the region.”

The judges highlighted the qualities that set the winners apart:

  • At Church Road Winery, “It's hard to imagine a more dedicated, welcoming and well-versed team than that at the cellar door of Church Road– guests leave having learned not just a whole lot about Church Road, but about winegrowing and winemaking as a whole in this Great Wine Capital.” – Anna King Shahab

 

  • Wallingford Homestead delivered a dining experience where an intimate affair immerses guests in a sense of place – a remote place – while still feeling worldly in its sophistication.” – Anna King Shahab

 

  • Black Barn Vineyards was recognised as “a national treasure, where the fairytale amphitheatre setting creates a unique cultural venue attracting world-class performers.” – Anna King Shahab

 

  • Smith & Sheth offered “a polished, multi-sensory experience blending wine, storytelling, music, and design, creating a unique immersive and premium wine journey.” – Lee Brown

 

  • Hawke’s Bay Experiences were commended for “ their commitment to caring for the land through sustainable business practices, and their genuine love for connecting like-minded people in the region with visitors wanting to experience both people and place is infectious.” – Anna Nelson

 

  • At Craggy Range Winery  “Everything this winery does is a reflection of the place it calls home – from the outstanding architecture and positioning of its buildings, to the thoughtfully designed interiors, right through to the crockery used in the restaurant and the vegetables and herbs selected fresh from the garden for your meal” - Anna Nielson

 

  • Porters Boutique Hotel was praised for “setting a benchmark in quality accommodation, and building seamless partnerships that connect them strongly into the wine industry and enrich the Hawke’s Bay wine tourism experience”– Anna Nielson

Hamish Saxton, Chief Executive of Hawke’s Bay Tourism and Local President of the Great Wine Capitals, said: “Hawke’s Bay is New Zealand’s oldest wine-growing region, and our place in the Great Wine Capitals network puts us alongside iconic regions like Bordeaux, Mendoza, and Napa Valley. These awards not only celebrate the excellence of our operators but also give us the chance to showcase their achievements on the global stage.”

Hamish continued: “The Best Of Wine Tourism Awards reinforce Hawke’s Bay’s growing international profile as New Zealand Food and Wine Country, and a destination where world-class wine, food, culture, and landscapes come together to create memorable visitor experiences.”

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