Pour Yourself a Glass of New Zealand This May

New Zealand Winegrowers is once again inviting wine lovers around the world to Pour Yourself a Glass of New Zealand this May, celebrating the country’s vibrant and diverse white wine offering. With global interest in premium white wines continuing to grow, the campaign invites consumers to discover New Zealand white wine, exploring the diversity of styles now emerging across regions and varieties.

Timed to coincide with International Sauvignon Blanc Day (1 May), International Pinot Gris Day (17 May) and International Chardonnay Day (21 May), the month-long campaign shines a light on New Zealand’s signature white wine styles while encouraging discovery of the country’s premium wines across regions and varieties.

New Zealand’s unique growing conditions—a maritime climate, long sunshine hours and cool nights—help shape white wines known for their freshness, balance and sense of place. With no wine region more than 130 kilometres from the sea, this distinctive environment plays a key role in defining New Zealand’s white wine character.

“New Zealand has built a global reputation for producing refreshing, expressive, high-quality white wines,” says Charlotte Read, General Manager Brand, New Zealand Winegrowers. “From Sauvignon Blanc to Pinot Gris and Chardonnay, these wines reflect both the diversity of our regions and a modern approach to winemaking.”

While Sauvignon Blanc remains New Zealand’s most recognised white wine internationally, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay continue to gain momentum, showcasing the breadth of styles now being produced across the country—from fresh and aromatic through to more textured, complex expressions.

As part of the campaign, New Zealand Winegrowers is inviting wine lovers to take part in “The Great White Wine Toast,” raising a glass of New Zealand white wine and sharing the moment online as part of a global, day-long toast. The initiative highlights that, despite white wine’s global popularity, there is still no officially recognised white wine emoji, using a collective toast to celebrate the category and spark global conversation.

The campaign also sits within a broader moment for New Zealand white wine globally, building awareness and engagement ahead of Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand 2027 (SBNZ27)—the country’s flagship international wine event, set to welcome global media, trade and influencers to New Zealand wine country. Together, these initiatives reinforce New Zealand’s position as a world leader in premium white wine.

Throughout May, “Pour Yourself a Glass of New Zealand” will be supported by editorial-friendly storytelling, social media activity and a campaign toolkit designed to help media, trade and consumers engage with New Zealand white wine. Wine lovers are encouraged to join the celebration using #pouryourselfaglassofNZ, #greatwhitewinetoast, #whitewineemoji and #nzwine.