Black Barn Vineyards has been named the global winner representing Hawke’s Bay in the prestigious 2027 International Best Of Wine Tourism Awards. The award was announced at the Great Wine Capitals International Conference Gala Dinner, held for the first time in Hawke’s Bay on 22 October 2026.
Presented by the Great Wine Capitals Global Network, the award places Black Barn alongside the world’s leading wine tourism experiences from Bordeaux, Napa Valley, Porto, Mendoza and the network’s other member capitals. It caps an outstanding year for the Havelock North business, which claimed a rare hat-trick at the regional awards in September, winning three of the seven categories: Accommodation, Architecture and Landscape, and Art and Culture.
The win comes as Hawke’s Bay welcomes delegates from across the Great Wine Capitals Global Network to the region during October.
The international judging panel, made up of representatives from each of the Great Wine Capitals, assessed entries on five key criteria: quality of services and facilities; originality and innovation; customer service and hospitality; commitment to sustainability and global wine tourism; and the ability to communicate and promote the award.
Black Barn stood out for the breadth and quality of its offering, which combines vineyard accommodation, a celebrated restaurant, a 2,000-seat amphitheatre set into a north-facing vineyard slope, and a thriving growers market. Together they create a destination where wine, food, art and landscape come together in one place.
Tania Burt, General Manager of Hawke’s Bay Tourism, said winning across three categories reflected an exceptional standard of excellence.
“To win one category at the Best Of Wine Tourism Awards is a real achievement. To win three, and then go on to be named our global winner, shows an incredible standard of excellence across everything Black Barn does. From where you stay to the landscape you take in, and the art and culture you experience, they deliver at a world-class level in every part of the visitor experience.”
“Having this announced in front of our fellow Great Wine Capitals, here in Hawke’s Bay, makes it even more special. Black Barn is a wonderful example of why Hawke’s Bay belongs among the world’s great wine destinations, and of the passion and craft our operators bring to showing visitors the very best of this region.”
Jo Collins, President of the Great Wine Capitals Global Network, said this year’s conference had been a resounding success, and a fitting stage for Black Barn’s win.
“Hawke’s Bay has been an exceptional host. Over the past five days, our delegates have experienced the warmth, creativity and world-class wine tourism that make this region so special, and they will take those stories home to every corner of our network. It has been a conference that has inspired us all.”
“To be named a global Best Of Wine Tourism winner is to be recognised as the best of the best. Black Barn has been judged against the finest wine tourism experiences in the world, and it has shown that it belongs in that company. To see that recognition celebrated here on home soil, in front of the global network, is a truly special moment for Black Barn and for Hawke’s Bay,” said Mrs Collins.
The 2027 global winners include:
- Adelaide, South Australia – Paulett Wines
- Bilbao | Rioja, Spain – Maga Foundation by Muriel Wines
- Bordeaux, France – Chateau Larrivet Haut-Brion
- Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand – Black Barn Vineyards
- Lausanne, Switzerland – Le Chemin des Capites (Autour du Vin)
- Mainz | Rheinhessen, Germany – Wein vom Roten Hang eV.
- Mendoza, Argentina – Cada Drummond by Bodega Trivento
- Porto, Portugal – Quinta de Vacaria
- San Francisco | Napa Valley, United States – Beaulieu Vineyard
- Valparaíso | Casablanca Valley, Chile – Palacio Astoreca
- Verona, Italy – Monteleone21
In September, Hawke’s Bay Tourism hosted the 2027 Hawke’s Bay Best Of Wine Tourism Awards at The Old Church, where five local businesses were recognised across seven categories:
- Accommodation: Black Barn Vineyards
- Architecture and Landscape: Black Barn Vineyards
- Art and Culture: Black Barn Vineyards
- Culinary Experiences: Craggy Range Winery
- Innovative Wine Tourism Experiences: Smith & Sheth
- Sustainable Wine Tourism Practices: Electric Executive
- Wine Tourism Services: Tākaro Trails Cycle Tours