The Chardonnay Affair

RENDEZVOUS WITH GISBORNE’S FINEST CHARDONNAYS IN THIS ARRAY OF SUMPTUOUS EVENTS

International Chardonnay Day is celebrated on the Thursday before the last Monday in May every year and is gathering momentum in many wine producing countries around the world.

The Chardonnay Affair will host a number of events focusing on matching the wines with local cuisine and learning more about our beautiful wines and region.

Gisborne’s two-day Chardonnay extravaganza boasts award-winning East Coast wineries, fresh local cuisine and splendid chardonnays grown locally here in the Chardonnay Capital of New Zealand.

Our region’s temperate environment with kind spring rainfalls and long dry summers, combined with both alluvial and heavier clay soils, enables dry farming of a wide range of grape varieties, but perhaps most notably, Chardonnay, for which Gisborne has long been famous. For many years the region was known as “The Chardonnay Capital of New Zealand”.

The mix of high sunshine, verdant landscapes, fascinating history and the exciting range of winestyles makes Gisborne a beguiling wine destination. This relatively remote area rewards those who take a trip east with a diverse range of wines, from full flavoured and fruit driven, to critically acclaimed biodynamic classics. Gisborne is home to a mix of large producers, boutique wineries, and entrepreneurial growers, who are continuously exploring new varieties and vineyard sites.

Tickets are $200, get them here.