Entries have opened for the 17th year of the New Zealand International Wine Show with results to be announced in mid-September.

The NZIWS has been the biggest wine competition in the country since its inception. This year, Chief Judge Bob Campbell MW will be assisted by Assistant Chief Judges Larry McKenna, John Hancock and Tony Bish - three of New Zealand's great winemakers. There will be 24 highly experienced senior judges in all.

Entries are accepted for any wine from any country; there are no volume requirements, no sustainability requirements and the wine does not need to be on sale in New Zealand. Wines that have previously been entered into the competition can also be entered again for further judging.

In previous years, gold medals have been awarded to wines from New Zealand, Australia, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, Germany, Chile, South Africa, Turkey and the USA. In 2020, there were 304 gold medals awarded.

Public tasting events will be held in Auckland and Christchurch following the medal announcements with an awards ceremony to be held in Auckland later in the year.

Details of how to send samples along with the Conditions of Entry, Classes, and Entry Forms are all available on the NZIWS website.

2021 NZIWS Competition Calendar
Entries Open - Now open.
Entries Close – Friday 27th August.
Judging Samples - 4 bottles of each entry MUST be received by Wednesday 8th September.
Judging Dates – 13th – 15th September.
Wineries Notified of Results – 17th-18th September.
Embargo Lifted on Full List of Medal Results – 20thSeptember.

nziws.co.nz