‘Home’ match for Marlborough sauvignon blanc in 2027

The 2027 Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand Conference will once again be staged in Marlborough. The region widely acknowledged as “the home of New Zealand sauvignon blanc” previously hosted the successful conferences in both 2016 and 2019, with the latter rated “world class” by delegates.

The successful conference bid was supported by Wine Marlborough, Business Events Marlborough (part of Destination Marlborough), and Tourism New Zealand Business Events.

“The first vines were planted in Fairhall and then in Brancott in 1975,” says Marcus Pickens, GM Wine Marlborough. Announcing this new event in 2025 coincides with celebrating 50 years since the first Marlborough sauvignon blanc was planted in the region.”

Today, Marlborough produces close to 82% of the New Zealand wine volume. In terms of surface area, Marlborough as a wine region is six times larger than Hawke’s Bay and 14 times larger than Central Otago, making it the leading region in the country’s wine industry.

“Sauvignon 2027 is an ideal platform to showcase to delegates the innovation, sustainability, scale and diversity that characterise our wine sector. The region is home to pioneering winemakers and viticulturists whose work continues to shape the future of the industry, both here and overseas,” says Mayor Nadine Taylor.

The conference is estimated to deliver an economic impact of more than $900,000 to Marlborough.