Annual Vino Celebration Winetopia Is Returning to Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch This Year

Whether you prefer a full-bodied red, a crisp white or a celebratory bubbles, the country's biggest celebration of all things grape is set to return this year. Winetopia, the event billed as the 'greatest celebration of New Zealand wine' is kicking off in Aotearoa from May for two days of swirling, sniffing and sipping.

This year the festival will begin in Shed Ten on Auckland's waterfront on May 20-21, before hitting the road and heading down to Wellington's TSB Arena on July 1-2. Then it's set to continue down the country for its southern leg, finishing off at Christchurch's brand-new Te Pae Convention Centre on August 26-27.

Presented by Singapore Airlines, it's the seventh year of the grape-filled festival and set to be the biggest yet, featuring over 50 of the country's major wineries in each city as well as an all-star cast of Kiwi presenters. The two days of consumption will champion all major wine-producing regions in New Zealand, as well as feature sommelier-led tasting classes, food matching and live music.

On the lineup so far are faves like Astrolabe, Cloudy Bay, Craggy Range, Peacock Sky, Three Miners, The Winemakers Wife, Gibbston Valley, Elephant Hill — and that's only a small portion of the first release.

A GA ticket starts at $47 plus booking fee (or $37 if you get in early) and that gets you a Spiegelau wine glass valued at $20 and five tasting tokens, as well as access to all the wineries, talks, tastings and entertainment. For $87 plus booking fee you can nab at Premium Ticket, which buys you all the above (including priority entry), as well as a glass of No.1 Family Estate's Methode Traditionelle sparkling on arrival, access to special reserved seating and a gift bag of goodies.

If you're wanting a real VIP experience, Winetopia has also asked featured wineries to bring along premium wines pushing over $100 per bottle, which ticket holders can then taste using the festival's acclaimed 'Golden Coins'. If a wine takes your fancy, you'll be able to purchase takeaway bottles (or sure, cases) to enjoy later at home.

Further line-up and scheduling announcements will be made in the coming weeks.

Two-day festival Winetopia will return to Auckland on May 20 before heading to Wellington on July 1 and Christchurch on August 26. Tickets are on sale now and start at $37 plus booking fee.