Last weekend’s Te Awanga Wine Festival was a huge success attracting 1650 attendees, with 40% travelling from outside the region to enjoy wine, food and music.

Te Awanga Wine Festival 25. Photo / Supplied

The festival, held across three host wineries on Saturday, brought together wine lovers of all ages - over 18 - for a celebration of Te Awanga’s wineries, music, and local hospitality.

The festival was based at Te Awanga’s three host wineries – Elephant Hill, Te Awanga Estate, and Clearview Estate Winery – alongside three pop-ups featuring five boutique local wineries and a cocktail bar.

The setup aimed to showcase the unique coastal wines.

The festival featured 12 music acts, five wine or gin masterclasses, and a dedicated tasting lane where all participating wineries presented their wines in one central location.

Te Awanga Wine Festival 25. Photo / Supplied

Attendees enjoyed a silent disco under the olive grove at Elephant Hill and a salsa lesson at Pop-up 3 with Decibel Wines and Saorsa.

Art installations, local restaurants, and food trucks added to the offerings, while guests explored the six locations via shuttle, bus, or on foot, making the most of the fine weather.

“The festival was created to showcase the incredible wineries we have here in the Te Awanga Region while giving smaller local wineries without a cellar door a platform,” festival organiser Alice McKinley said.

“Each of the wineries really pulled together to put on a great day.”

The Te Awanga Wine Festival was funded, managed, and marketed by local marketing agency, Kin.

“I wanted to bring my love of experiential events to this festival, with plenty of surprise and delight moments, while providing all the great things you usually see at a wine festival,” McKinley said.

The festival also welcomed Unlikely Companions, a new local gin brand yet to be officially launched.

The gin bar was set up at Elephant Hill, and was a standout hit among festivalgoers.