Taste of success at Pinot Noir NZ 2025

Challenge accepted

Over the three-day event, attendees immersed themselves in carefully curated wine and culinary experiences including three lunches, a cocktail event, a gala dinner, major and regional tastings along with the Pinot Palooza public event. Ensuring 4,000 bottles of wine from almost 80 wineries were received, stored and delivered to the correct room in the correct venue and stored at the correct temperature was a logistical challenge for the CI team. Each tasting required precise 50ml pourings of eight wines at every place setting, utilising 3,000 varietal specific crystal glasses, washed and hand polished for every pouring.

Memorable moments

The culinary programme required out of the box thinking and collaboration with top chefs and suppliers. Fusing food and wine in fresh and imaginative ways resulted in an outdoor barbeque, traditional hangi, family-style al-fresco lunch and food-station standing cocktail event, not to mention the exceptional gala dinner. The dinner featured five courses designed by chef Giulio Sturla who collaborated closely with Te Pae’s chef, Desmond Davies, to deliver an immersive intimate menu paired with more than 55 wines for the 400 guests.

CI’s best bit

An event of this scale required more than 18 months of intensive planning, distilled to one opportunity to deliver an outstanding guest experience. Overcoming significant logistical challenges through exceptionally detailed planning and focused teamwork to deliver unique and quintessentially Kiwi experiences is an absolute highlight for Project Manager, Charlotte Emery and her conference team.

Feedback

“I simply cannot thank you all enough for what was just an incredible conference and frankly, a master class on how to run one. The wines, the culinary program all just incredible and seamlessly handled ... I truly know what goes into these things and I hope you’re bloody proud. Ya nailed it.”

Dan Sims, Pinot Palooza

“CI brought more than just logistical expertise, they brought genuine collaboration, strategic foresight, and a deep understanding of what it takes to deliver a globally significant, premium event. The level of professionalism and innovation they demonstrated at every stage made a lasting impression on our delegates, speakers, and international stakeholders. Conference Innovators are, without question, an outstanding business events partner.”

Sarah Szostak, Executive Officer, Pinot Noir New Zealand 2025