The New Zealand Wine Festivals are making their long-awaited return in May, offering guests an opportunity to savor an array of premium New Zealand red and white wines. Since 2009, the festivals have become a cultural experience for the Korean and international communities – a fun place where friends and colleagues can gather to enjoy an afternoon or evening of New Zealand’s best wine.
“I look forward to the New Zealand Wine Festivals every year as they provide a glimpse into New Zealand’s distinct cultural heritage and wine tradition,” said Dawn Bennet, New Zealand’s Ambassador to South Korea. “The events in Busan and Seoul help elevate the profile of New Zealand and its exceptional wines in the Korean market.”
As one of Korea’s premier consumer wine events, The New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Korea, or “The Kiwi Chamber,” once again encourages all wine enthusiasts to reconnect with their favorite New Zealand wines from about 25 top wineries, along with five-star food and New Zealand-style hospitality. Under the theme “Journey and Friendship,” the festivals aim to celebrate the special relationship between the two countries through wine — highlighting the innovative journey of New Zealand’s wine industry while creating a pathway for continued growth and partnership.
The New Zealand wine festivals in Korea will take place in Seoul on Saturday, May 3 at the Grand Hyatt Seoul’s Waterfall Garden, and in Busan on Saturday, May 24 at the Park Hyatt Busan, overlooking the Gwangan Bridge and Busan Marina. This year marks the 25th and 26th editions of the wine festivals, and they will run from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. in Seoul and from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. in Busan.
“I’m continuously amazed by the overwhelming success that the New Zealand Wine Festivals have achieved over these many years,” said Dr. Tony Garrett, Chairman of The Kiwi Chamber. “I expect nothing less this year with smiles galore from our guests, as they enjoy the exceptional cuisine and fine reds and whites from our top vineyards.”
With robust sales in 2024, New Zealand jumped one spot to the sixth-largest importer of wine to South Korea, reaching an import value of $25.36 million, up 55% from the previous year. New Zealand reds and whites continue to increase in popularity among Korean consumers, with New Zealand’s famed Sauvignon Blanc taking a lion’s share of the growth in the white wine space.
In the year ending 2024, New Zealand exported NZD 2.14 billion of total goods and services to Korea, while importing NZD 6.87 billion. Korea remains the fifth-largest goods export market and fifth-largest trading partner of New Zealand. This year also marks the 10th year of the Korea-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (KNZFTA), a huge success story for both countries, during which two-way trade has more than doubled. New Zealand’s number one export to Korea is dairy, followed by aluminum, wood and fruit.
“New Zealand and Korea are complementary economies and have opposite seasons for our horticultural products, making us natural trading partners,” commented Ambassador Bennet. “After 10 years of FTA success, the work has not stopped in exploring ways to boost our partnership, and possibly upgrade the FTA in the future.”
Both festival venues will offer a high-quality experience, including a relaxing outdoor BBQ-style buffet in Seoul and the Park Hyatt’s signature buffet in Busan. The events will feature a selection of New Zealand cheeses and charcuterie with fresh fruits which match perfectly with wine.
Guests will also enjoy traditional Māori haka performances, lively DJ sets and photo zones, along with a raffle with numerous prizes, including hotel packages and airline tickets.
Tickets for both events are170,000 won for Kiwi Chamber members, 190,000 wonfor non-members and200,000 won for at-the-door purchases. Group discounts are also available for 170,000 won per ticket for groups of eight or larger. For more information and registration, contact the chamber at events@kiwichamber.com or visit www.kiwichamber.com.
