Punting on the Avon, Christchurch - Courtesy of Christchurch Canterbury Tourism.
Punting on the Avon, Christchurch - Courtesy of Christchurch Canterbury Tourism.
Top of a Vineyard, Kaikoura - Courtesy of Kaikoura District Council.
Vineyard, Central Otago - Courtesy of Central Otago Pinot Noir Limited.
Aoraki - Mt Cook, Canterbury - Courtesy of Christchurch Canterbury Tourism.
Couple in Vineyard, Nelson - Courtesy of Nelson Wine Art.
Vineyard in Autumn, Marlborough - Courtesy of Destination Marlborough.

About us

Our history

In early 2009, the Christchurch City Council realised the opportunity to promote the South Island's wine regions on a global platform. After consulting with the five South Island wine regions, an application was put forward to the global network to become one of the Great Wine Capitals.

The Great Wine Capital Network has key considerations when welcoming a newcomer – and no exceptions were spared for Christchurch | South Island.

The global network brings together cities that are gateways to internationally-renowned wine regions, for example San Francisco – gateway to the reputable Napa Valley. The network only accepts one city per country, and that city must represent an internationally-recognised wine region, have an international airport and have an academic institution that specialises in wine science.

Following a visit from the network's decision making panel, Christchurch | South Island officially became the ninth Great Wine Capital of the world in November 2009.

While our history as a Great Wine Capital may be brief, our aspirations are large – with our main goal to introduce you and the rest of the world to our premium wine and wine markets – so discover it for yourself!

Education

One of the many advantages of being a Great Wine Capital, is the opportunity to tap into new discoveries, technologies and sciences that are revolutionising the global wine market.

This has been seized by two of our region's tertiary educational institutes, Lincoln University and The Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology. They are eligible to apply for an annual wine research scholarship, sponsored by the global Great Wine Capital Network and they can receive and share knowledge, ideas and insights that relate to wine science.

Lincoln University is located on the outskirts of Christchurch and has a centre for viticulture and oenology. It was the first university in New Zealand to offer a tertiary wine qualification and continues to run thriving courses that produce excellent wine makers and marketers who enhance our wine industry.

Lincoln University also undertakes research in a wide range of wine related disciplines, including biological and physical sciences, business and social science.

The Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) also offers excellent facilities for viticulture studies, with an on-site vineyard, purpose-built winery and state-of-the-art lab. These facilities are situated within the Marlborough Wine Research Centre and are supported by local and national wine and viticulture industries.