Pinot Palooza, the southern hemisphere’s largest annual Pinot Noir and music festival, is back with its biggest and best tour yet.

Ready to get your pinot on? After a sell-out event earlier this year in Wellington, Pinot Palooza is making its return to Auckland on September 9 and, for the first time, Christchurch on September 16.

Pinot Palooza combines everyone’s favourite grape, Pinot Noir, with amazing food from some of New Zealand’s most celebrated chefs, plus great music. This year’s event features the best in Pinot Noir from more than 100 of Australia and New Zealand’s hottest wine producers including; Curly Flat (Macedon), Josef Chromy (Tasmania), Ata Rangi (Martinborough, NZ), Stefano Lubiana (Tasmania), Dog Point (Fairhall, NZ) and Pegasus Bay (Waipara, NZ).

A spectacular line-up of food matches and stalls will be in attendance too, and should you need a palate cleanser in between Pinot tasting, Brew Moon beer and cider will be available. Also returning is The Burg Bar (now called the Somm Bar), providing a rare opportunity to try some of the best wines in the world at cost price. The best sommeliers in each city will be on hand to take Burgundy fans through these exceptional wines.

Festival-goers can also vote for their favourite Pinot Noir producer on roving iPads, for the chance to win several incredible prizes.

Tickets are $60 and are on sale now. They include an epic take-home Plumm Vintage RedB glass (valued at $35), as well as all wine tastes. Festival goers also have the opportunity to purchase a VIP ticket for $100, which gets them a special tasting at the Somm Bar, a meal voucher, and more.

For more, visit pinotpalooza.com.au

Put on your pinot party pants – Australia’s largest Pinot Noir and music festival, Pinot Palooza, will make its New Zealand debut at Shed 10 on Saturday, September 3. 

After two successful events in Auckland and Wellington this year wine “edutainment” events company Bottle Shop Concepts will launch the Pinot Palooza festival in Auckland after a successful five years in Australia including festivals in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.

Bottle Shop Concepts founder Dan Sims says Pinot Palooza is set to be the biggest celebration of Pinot Noir on the planet in the next five years, and bringing the event to Auckland is a natural and logical progression.

Pinot Palooza’s tagline is “wine that rocks” and against the backdrop the best Pinot Noirs from across New Zealand and Australia, a local DJ, sommelier ‘roadies’ and more, it’s shaping up to be one heck of a pinot party!

More than 60 wineries are involved on the day including headliners Ata Rangi, Rippon, Mt Difficulty, Te Whare Ra, Burn Cottage, Greywacke and Pegasus Bay. Australian imports include Curly Flat, Moondarra, Yarra Yering and more. Bird On A Wire will be cooking up a special menu available for purchase.

Attendees can also vote for their favourite Pinot Noir on the day to go in the draw to win prizes too.

GA tickets: $60. VIP tickets are $95. For more, visit pinotpalooza.nz