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?

Jeff Sinnott

Viticulture Consultants
Symposium Chair 

Why are you buying a ticket to International Cool Climate Wine Symposium?

  1. Immerse - Immerse yourself in everything great about Aotearoa New Zealand, the wine, the food, the culture, the people.

  2. Connect - With your colleagues, your mentors, your heroes, your friends, yourself

  3. Learn - From the birthplace of the guy that split the atom (sorry Donald) learn what other transformative discoveries are occurring in the world of grapes & wine.

Come to Ōtautahi Christchurch, January 2026 - its summer down here !

Helen Morrison

Booster Wine Group
Symposium Vice-Chair

Why are you buying a ticket to International Cool Climate Wine Symposium?

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  • Executive Officer, New Zealand Society for Viticulture and Oenology

    Why are you buying a ticket to International Cool Climate Wine Symposium?

    1. 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.

    2. 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.

    3. 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.

  • Yealands Estate

    Why are you buying a ticket to International Cool Climate Wine Symposium?

    1. 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.

    2. 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.

    3. 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.

  • Nautilus Estate

    Why are you buying a ticket to International Cool Climate Wine Symposium?

    1. Immerse yourself in the New Zealand success story of cool climate winegrowing.

    2. Share in the knowledge of leading industry and research practitioners from around the world.

    3. Enjoy the vitality of a city reborn and what  Aotearoa, New Zealand summer has to offer.

Braden Crosby, ICCWS Committee Member

  • Bragato Research Institute

    Why are you buying a ticket to International Cool Climate Wine Symposium?

    1. I am ready to feel positive about all the amazing things happening in the wine world

    2. I am super excited to hear Patty Skinkis talk on participatory research. Her connection of research to industry is legendary.

    3. I am looking forward to delicious wines and Ōtautahi summer evenings

  • Lion NZ

    Why are you buying a ticket to International Cool Climate Wine Symposium?

    1. 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

    2. Upskill – the workshops on offer are varied and interesting certainly some great learning opportunities.

    3. Network and Connect – with friends and colleagues and have some fun.

  • Wine Trust

    Why are you buying a ticket to International Cool Climate Wine Symposium?

    1. 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.

    2. I look forward to the sharing of practical experience and knowledge with delegates from around the world.

    3. 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.

  • Rock Ferry Wines

    Why are you buying a ticket to International Cool Climate Wine Symposium?

    1. 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.

    2. 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.

    3. 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.

  • Vine to Wine to Market

    Why are you buying a ticket to International Cool Climate Wine Symposium?

    1. 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.

    2. 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.

    3. 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.

  • Thoughtful Viticulture

    Why are you buying a ticket to International Cool Climate Wine Symposium?

    1. I want to hear about cutting edge technology in the viticulture and wine sectors

    2. I want to taste delicious, crisp, cool climate wines

    3. I want to connect with colleagues from around the world with a shared purpose to champion and promote cool climate wines

  • Lion NZ

    Why are you buying a ticket to International Cool Climate Wine Symposium?

    1. 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

    2. 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

    3. 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

  • Lincoln University

    Why are you buying a ticket to International Cool Climate Wine Symposium?

    1. 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

    2. I can’t wait to share wine and food with colleagues around the world

    3. I’m looking forward to heated discussions about which region makes the best Rieslings in the world

  • Lincoln University

    Why are you buying a ticket to International Cool Climate Wine Symposium?

    1. 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.

    2. 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.

    3. 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.