Porto welcomes the Hawke's Bay region of New Zealand, the newest member of the Great Wine Capitals Global Network

The Hawke's Bay wine region, situated on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island and supported by the twin cities of Napier and Hastings, has officially joined the Great Wine Capitals Global Network. The region is renowned for its exceptional quality wines, including award-winning grape varietals such as Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot. The region has more than 80 vineyards and wineries.

Hawke's Bay is also renowned for its delicious cuisine and a thriving arts and culture scene, besides its world-class wines. Visitors can enjoy a variety of wine tourism activities in the region, such as wine tastings or vineyard tours, as well as cycling, hiking and scenic drives.

The region's membership of the Great Wine Capitals Global Network adds even more value and diversity to this international network. It will certainly raise the profile and reputation of wine tourism in Hawke's Bay, enhancing its good practices in terms of sustainability, and boost the international recognition of its wines.

The members of the Great Wine Capitals are confident that this partnership will generate new opportunities for collaboration, innovation and mutual growth.

Porto therefore welcomes this 12th member city with great enthusiasm. Porto is certain this region will contribute to the fulfilment of the 20-30 strategic plan, which aims to evolve and develop this cooperation network.

About the Great Wine Capitals

Founded in 1999, it is an alliance of world cities that share a common economic and cultural asset - their connection to internationally recognised wine regions. These cities collaborate through exchanges and joint projects to promote the development and prosperity of the wine industry, communities and tourism in each of the network’s member cities/regions. They promote excellence in wine tourism, facilitating the sharing of knowledge and experiences, stimulating business and acting as a vehicle for collaboration on challenges and opportunities.

The network has been expanding, and it currently has 12 cities and their respective wine regions. Besides Porto (linked to the Douro and Vinho Verde regions) and the most recent member Hawke's Bay, the other members are: Adelaide (South Australia); Bilbao-Rioja (Spain); Bordeaux (France); Cape Town-Cape Winelands (South Africa); Lausanne (Switzerland); Mainz-Rheinhessen (Germany); Mendoza (Argentina); San Francisco-Napa Valley (USA); Valparaiso-Casablanca Valley (Chile) and Verona (Italy).