Meet the committee
The Symposium is proudly led by the following Organising Committee we asked them: Why are you buying a ticket to International Cool Climate Wine Symposium?
Amazonita
Amazonita is the new beginning; a place of strong spirits. It is Christchurch's own tropically inspired restaurant and bar nestled in the inner city in the lively Terrace precinct.
126 Oxford Terrace
Open seven days
BAR FRANCO
A welcoming atmosphere infused with Mediterranean hospitality. Level 1 is a Spritz and Negroni Bar, and Level 2 is a dining room with open Kitchen.
The Crossing, 166 Cashel Street
Open seven days, lunch and dinner
BESSIE
We wanted to bring the highest quality dining experience in a vibrant environment to Christchurch and we think we've done a pretty good job. Our specialty is dry aged meat which we do in-house and then finished on a charcoal oven roaring at 250 degree Celsius. This creates a unique flavour and when combined with world class New Zealand produce and a selection of wines from around the globe delivers a destination for those special occasions.
178 St Asaph Street
Open seven days from 9am
BOTANIC
Botanic was born out of a desire to bring people together in a casual, contemporary space unique to Christchurch. A place that does the simple things well and has a warmth that encourages folks to stay a while.
Level 1, 126 Oxford Terrace
Open seven days
CASA PUBLICA
The fresh flavours that come from Casa Publica kitchen have something to satisfy any palate. If you are looking for some of the finest dishes at the best value look no further than Casa Publica, your slice of South America on New Regent Street.
Corner Armagh Street & New Regent Street
Open seven days for lunch and dinner
DUX CENTRAL
Dux central offers a relaxed vibe and a variety of distinct locations to enjoy your beer, wine, food and music. Craft beer is the focus of the Brew Bar downstairs, with a crazy number of beer choices at your disposal. Just around the corner, The Emerald Room provides an intimate and elegant space for catching up with friends.
Upstairs is the chameleon of the family: The Upper Dux changes its stripes to suit diners in the early evening and later on, becomes a venue for DJs and live bands.
6 Poplar Street
Open seven days
FIDDLESTICKS
Sophisticated, sociable and relaxed,
Fiddlestick's Bar & Restaurant provide in-season, sensational local fare. Watch the street side activity while soaking up the ambiance in front of a roaring outdoor fire in our well sheltered courtyard. Groups bookings welcome.
Corner Worcester Boulevard &, Montreal Street
https://fiddlesticksbar.co.nz/
Open seven days from 9am
FRANCESCA'S KITCHEN
Authentic Italian Cuisine is the beating heart of Francesca's Italian Kitchen. Warm hospitality and delicious food are what we are all about. Our chefs use the finest quality ingredients from Italy and New Zealand to provide a unique dining experience.
149 Gloucester Street
https://fransitalianchristchurch.nz/
Open seven days
INATI
Inati is one of Christchurch's top restaurants. Utilising the finest produce sourced locally, we will showcase the best of Canterbury and New Zealand in an elegant, approachable and most importantly, respectful manner. The 6 or 8 course trust the chef is a must try.
48 Hereford Street
Open Tuesday to Saturday
KING OF SNAKE
King of Snake is a vibrant venue, which offers diners in Christchurch a taste of euro Asian cuisine in a stunning luxury setting. The bar and restaurant overlooks the Avon River on Cashel Street with a contemporary interior for a superior
Level 1, 79 Cashel Street
https://www.kingofsnake.co.nz/
Open seven days
LITTLE HIGH
The perfect foodie destination for families who like to eat different meals. There are nine cuisines under one roof - each choose what you'd like and grab a table in the vibrant shared dining area.
255 Saint Asaph Street
Open seven days
MEXICANO'S
For families that love Mexican food, this place is sure to be a hit. An institution on Victoria Street in the central city, Mexicano's provides delicious food, lots of choice, a fun atmosphere, and great service.
131 Victoria Street
Open seven days
ODEON
Odeon is inspired by Mediterranean dining culture, shared plates and organic/biodynamic wine set in a beautiful, comfortable space just around the corner from New Regent Street.
165 Gloucester Street
Open Tuesday to Sunday
ORIGINAL SIN
Located in the heart of The Terrace hospitality precinct, Original Sin is an Italian inspired restaurant, with pizza and pasta for the kids and an extensive range of dishes for those looking for something different.
The Terrace, Oxford Terrace
https://www.originalsin.co.nz/
Open seven days
TANOSHI
At the centre of Christchurch City, located in the Terrace Precinct, there's a Japanese gem that's all about simplicity and flavour - welcome to Tanoshi Christchurch, serving flavourful sharing tapas and offering a build-your-own-ramen concept.
93 Cashel Street
Open seven days
THE MONDAY ROOM
Our ever-popular banquet style shared dining, combined with our extensive wine list and ever-changing cocktail menu; never fails to provide a phenomenal dining experience. We use the freshest local produce and ingredients and offer our ever popular 'Trust the Chef' set menu every night to any and all tables of 2 or more.
161 High Street
Open Monday to Saturday for dinner
TWENTY SEVEN STEPS
Located on beautiful New Regent Street, 27 Steps is located upstairs in a delightful setting. The menu focuses on exceptional produce cooked well. This is a great option for those keen on a relaxed evening.
New Regent Street
https://twentysevensteps.co.nz/
Open Monday to Saturday for dinner
Helen Morrison
Booster Wine Group
Symposium Vice-Chair
Why are you buying a ticket to International Cool Climate Wine Symposium?
It is exciting now that our opportunities to truly network globally have returned in this post Covid wine-world, so I can’t wait to welcome and meet a great mix of internationals at Te Pae, Ōtatahi, Aotearoa.
As a huge fan of New Zealand sparkling, I can’t wait to hear from Jane de Witt at the sparkling workshops, get in quick as I’m sure these will sell out.
Our field trip to Lincoln University is another workshop not to miss, I am Lincoln alumni from 2003-2005, it will be great to see the facility again 20+ years on.
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Executive Officer, New Zealand Society for Viticulture and Oenology
Why are you buying a ticket to International Cool Climate Wine Symposium?
The NZSVO is renowned for its technical workshops because of the organisation's unbiased and thoughtful approach to program curation. The ICCWS will be an extension of that - sending delegates away with a tool belt of practical, viable and cutting-edge solutions. This is a wine industry event not to be missed.
I can’t wait to hear from Dr Patty Skinkis of Oregon State University. With over 20 years in viticulture academia, she is a well versed researcher, educator and presenter who will undoubtably have many fresh perspectives and insights to share. Patty specialises in applied viticulture and whole plant physiology and explores hot topics such as vine balance, crop thinning and bud fruitfulness.
It’s unlikely that Master of Wine Jane Skilton will ever drop from my top presenter spot. Her refreshing personality and humour enables critical information, well sourced stats and hard learnings to be received with ease. Her contribution and unwavering enthusiasm for the NZ wine industry is unparalleled.
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Yealands Estate
Why are you buying a ticket to International Cool Climate Wine Symposium?
I'm very excited that we are hosting this event in New Zealand in 2026 - Late January is a beautiful time to be in New Zealand and Te Pae, Christchurch will be a stunning location.
The diversity of speakers and topics is a real draw and I'm looking forward to learning new things and hearing from incredible people in our industry.
The global wine community is a vibrant bunch and I can't wait to connect with old industry friends and hopefully make some new ones.
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Nautilus Estate
Why are you buying a ticket to International Cool Climate Wine Symposium?
Immerse yourself in the New Zealand success story of cool climate winegrowing.
Share in the knowledge of leading industry and research practitioners from around the world.
Enjoy the vitality of a city reborn and what Aotearoa, New Zealand summer has to offer.
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Bragato Research Institute
Why are you buying a ticket to International Cool Climate Wine Symposium?
I am ready to feel positive about all the amazing things happening in the wine world
I am super excited to hear Paddy Skinkis talk on participatory research. Her connection of research to industry is legendary.
I am looking forward to delicious wines and Ōtautahi summer evenings
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Lion NZ
Why are you buying a ticket to International Cool Climate Wine Symposium?
Be inspired - An amazing opportunity to attend a Wine Conference in NZ with first class international speakers with great insights into the World of Wine
Upskill – the workshops on offer are varied and interesting certainly some great learning opportunities.
Network and Connect – with friends and colleagues and have some fun.
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Wine Trust
Why are you buying a ticket to International Cool Climate Wine Symposium?
I look forward to being Inspired After 45 vintages, I am as hungry as ever for new ideas, new ways to overcome the ever-evolving challenges of growing grapes, making wine and exceeding consumers expectations.
I look forward to the sharing of practical experience and knowledge with delegates from around the world.
I look forward to being challenged in my thinking and sensory perception of wine, so I can continue to make wines of quality and relevance.
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Rock Ferry Wines
Why are you buying a ticket to International Cool Climate Wine Symposium?
I am looking forward hearing about Cool Climate winemaking from a global perspective as well as getting to share our Aotearoa New Zealand wine story in Ōtautahi with our international visitors.
I am eager to learn more about what is current and cutting edge in wine to see where my own winemaking practices and philosophies sit in context.
I am very excited by the array of workshop topics, with my personal highlight being a tasting of Next Gen NZ Chardonnay and hearing from a trio of New Zealand wine legends.
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Vine to Wine to Market
Why are you buying a ticket to International Cool Climate Wine Symposium?
Knowledge leaders: looking forward to hearing from the best research and knowledge leaders in our industry with the focus to share experiences and results that are specifically tailored to the production of world class, cool climate wines.
Keeping cool climate wines relevant does not happen passively. Attending the Cool Climate Wine Symposium will fill me with new ideas and opportunities, plus surround me with forward thinking industry colleagues, to continually improve me and the wines that I am associated.
Global prospective: The diverse international contingent of members of the global wine industry that will be attending the Cool Climate Wine Symposium will ground my own perspective of the current wine industry throughout the world insuring that I make decisions that are relevant to global conditions.
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Thoughtful Viticulture
Why are you buying a ticket to International Cool Climate Wine Symposium?
I want to hear about cutting edge technology in the viticulture and wine sectors
I want to taste delicious, crisp, cool climate wines
I want to connect with colleagues from around the world with a shared purpose to champion and promote cool climate wines
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Lion NZ
Why are you buying a ticket to International Cool Climate Wine Symposium?
I love hearing from speakers who are on the cutting edge of new ideas and concepts, have different and refreshing ways of thinking, with a visionary way of pushing me to think outside my norm
I’m passionate about cool climate wines and I’m looking forward to connecting with likeminded enthusiastic and dynamic colleagues and speakers to spur me on into the future
One of my favourite things is also to hang out with the new people I meet and to chew the fat during the evening activities at the local bars and restaurants
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Lincoln University
Why are you buying a ticket to International Cool Climate Wine Symposium?
I want to get together with like-minded wine professionals from all trades to discuss the latest in what we know about vines and wines
I can’t wait to share wine and food with colleagues around the world
I’m looking forward to heated discussions about which region makes the best Rieslings in the world
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Lincoln University
Why are you buying a ticket to International Cool Climate Wine Symposium?
ICCWS has always been a rare opportunity where academia and industry come together to exchange cutting-edge research, practical insights, and innovative solutions for cool-climate wine production.
A special excursion to Lincoln University will showcase our excellence in wine science education and research. The visit will conclude with an exclusive tasting led by Dom Maxwell, two-time NZ Winemaker of the Year, featuring world-class wines crafted by our alumni.
Beyond the latest breakthroughs in wine science, this is also a great opportunity to experience the breathtaking landscapes of New Zealand, an unparalleled paradise where stunning vineyards meet pristine natural beauty.