Hawke’s Bay was named the Great Wine Capital of the world, setting it alongside 11 other prestigious wine regions such as Bordeaux (France), Napa Valley (USA), Bilbao (Spain) and Adelaide (Australia).
The bid was led by Hawke’s Bay Tourism, on behalf of a working group that also included Hawke’s Bay Wine Growers, Hastings District Council, Napier City Council, Hawke’s Bay Airport and EIT/ Te Pūkenga.
Admission to the Great Wine Capitals programme comes after a stringent selection process that looks at a region’s winegrowing industry, its history, its wine tourism, educational opportunities, business, and travel, as well as the cities and region itself.
Hawke’s Bay Tourism CEO, Hamish Saxton, said, “It is a true legacy for the region and will continue to deliver benefits to industry, education, business and tourism for the years to come. Becoming a Great Wine Capital will also give a significant boost to the region’s post-cyclone recovery, particularly with the wine industry already generating an estimated $300 million direct revenue to the Hawke’s Bay economy and contributing $156m to GDP. The accolade will further increase Hawke’s Bay’s global recognition and will give it access to additional expertise, resources, and support from the best of the global wine and tourism industries.”
Blessed with some of the best wine-growing soils and climates in the country, Hawke’s Bay produces top quality wines that can stand tall with the greatest wine regions in the world, producing more than 40,000 tonnes of grapes and with more than 200 vineyards, 125 wine producers and more than 30 cellar doors.
