The International Cool Climate Wine Symposium returns to New Zealand for a third time since it’s foundation 1984. The ICCW brings together professionals to focus on all aspects of winemaking from vine to glass in cooler climates, of which New Zealand is one.
This from the NZSVO:
ICCWS Returns to NZ | 25-28 January, 2026
The New Zealand Society for Viticulture and Oenology (NZSVO) is thrilled to announce they are the next hosts of the International Cool Climate Wine Symposium (ICCWS).
Credit: NZW/Maori Point Vineyard
Having successfully hosted this globally renowned conference twice previously, the NZSVO see their winning bid as an acclamation of their previous efforts and a confirmation of the world-wide interest in New Zealand wine. “It is quite the coup that the NZSVO have secured another opportunity to host the ICCWS,” says Philip Gregan, CEO of NZ Winegrowers. “It will be a pleasure to share the NZ wine story with our industry peers and reveal how far we’ve come since NZ last hosted the ICCWS 20 years ago.”
The NZSVO exists for the promotion and dissemination of technical information in viticulture, oenology and related sciences for the benefit of the grape and wine industries of New Zealand. The primary role of its committee is to organise annual technical workshops for their industry colleagues with the intention of discussing current trends, sharing knowledge and providing analytic insights.
“We are beyond excited to host a third ICCWS,” says NZSVO chair, Jeff Sinnott. “New Zealand has grown so much since we last hosted and this past experience puts us in a unique position to create an immersive and engaging event.”
Credit; NZW/Borthwick Vineyard
The NZSVO commenced their application to host the 11th ICCWS in 2019, prior to borders closing to Covid 19 and prior to the completion of the Te Pae conference centre in Christchurch. Three years on, and the state-of-the-art Te Pae now completed and open, NZSVO knows it is the ideal host for the 2026 event. Its committee is embracing the opportunity to extend their skill sets to drive the design of a three day ‘Pure Innovation’ conference programme. “There are some very exciting research projects and industry trials happening at the moment and we hope to bring them to light in four years time,” says Jeff.
NZSVO have support from several of NZ’s most respected affiliate organisations including Plant and Food, Bragato Research Institute, Lincoln University and Auckland University. “We all contribute deep industry knowledge to the planning process, not to mention an impressive list of colleagues and contacts,” says Jeff. “The challenge may actually be keeping the programme to just three days.”
In addition to sharing cutting edge technology and the latest industry research, the NZSVO is committed to offering an immersive NZ experience. “We have partnered with Tourism New Zealand and NZ Winegrowers to offer delegates a mix of experience packages for the shoulder dates of our conference,” says Jeff. “We have such a beautiful country and diverse range of wine growing regions. It would be a disservice not to provide visiting delegates with the opportunity to experience NZ beyond the event four walls..”
The ICCWS 2022 was hosted by Brock University, in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. It was the responsibility of their committee to select the next host country for the conference.