Federation of Amateur Winemakers and Brewers New Zealand
The Official Site of the New Zealand Amateur Winemakers and Brewers Federation
10-12 October 2025 New Zealand’s top home brewers and winemakers have been crowned at the 2025 National Competition, where nearly 400 entries competed for medals, major prizes, and even a chance to go commercial. The NZ Amateur Winemakers and Brewers Read More
Amazing Home-brews and Wines Judged 70 years since the first event, the 35th competition of the NZ Central Region Home-Brewers and Winemakers Clubs was held over the weekend. Judging occurred on Friday with the formal Awards dinner and prize-giving on Read More
The 35th Central Region Winemakers and Brewers Competition for the Central Region is to be held on the weekend of 11th-13th October 2024 Hosted by the Gisborne Winemakers and Brewers Club. Over two dozen Competitors have entered nearly 170 bottles Read More
To all Clubs and Federation members, we are pleased to offer this update on the upcoming Nationals; to be officially know as the Gladfield 23rd NZ National Amateur Wine & Beer Competition & Conference on the 6th, 7th & 8th of October 2023. We have Read More
Hawke’s Bay Amateur Winemakers and Brewers Club are pleased to announce that the 23rd biennial National Conference and Competition for federated Amateur Winemakers and Brewers will be held near Havelock North, Hawkes Bay on the 6th, 7th and 8th of October 2023. Read More
Following the cancellation of the 2021 Nationals due to Covid, we are delighted to announce that the 2023 National Competition & Conference is on and will be hosted by the Hawke’s Bay Amateur Winemakers and Brewers Club. The Competition, as Read More
Now Cancelled due to Covid! The NZ National Amateur Winemakers and Brewers Competition 2021 is being hosted by Eastern Bay of Plenty Club. They advise the Dates for the event will be 1st to 3rd October 2021. Mark these dates Read More
Hawke’s Bay Amateur Winemakers and Brewers Club is pleased to announce we are hosting the 2020 Central Region Competition! The 2020 Central Region Competition will be held in Hawke’s Bay on the 9th to the 11th October 2020. The venue Read More
Photos from the 2019 Nationals
An OPEN Competition for all Amateur Brewers and Winemakers in Hawke’s Bay and surrounding areas.
On Saturday 22 June 2019 a Beer Judging Accreditation is being run at Massey University in Palmerston North. Successful candidates will become certified Judges for the Federation and can then officially judge at Federation National, Regional and Club events. Please Read More
From the 5th to the 7th of October members from clubs throughout the Central Region gathered in Gisborne for the biennial Central Regional Convention. Thanks to the Gisborne Club for hosting another great weekend and to the Sponsors for your help…
The current Federation approved judging sheets can now be downloaded and used for competition judging. These were approved in 2015. Please click on the Links below: National WineLiqueurSheet2015 NationalBeerSheet2015 Each A4 page has two sheets.
B1 Light Beer / Low Alcohol B1.1 Standard Light Beer Colour: Pale to straw Body: Light Aroma: Moderate hop with malt notes Palate: Agreeable hop, low malt flavours. Clean finish. Head: Firm white head Carbonation: Persistent fine bead. Alc/vol: 2 Read More
The Hawke’s Bay Amateur Winemakers & Brewers Club is again hosting our local “annual” competition. It’s open to all residents of Hawke’s Bay including Public. Date: Saturday 28 July 2018 Please see our website for details: http://www.wine-and-beer-hb.org.nz/2018/07/05/2018-club-competition/
18th Southern Region Competition: Christchurch 12-14 October 2018 NZ Amateur Winemakers and Brewers Federation Inc Hosted by Pegasus Amateur Winemakers Society- Est. 1968 Welcome to the 18th Southern Region Competition to be held in Christchurch on 12-14 October 2018 Read More
NATIONAL WINE CLASSES AND SPECIFICATIONS. Updated following the 2019 BGM. Class W 1 DRY RED GRAPE Medium to dark red in colour. Light to medium body. Acidity and body should be in balance Read More
Appendix 1. New Zealand Amateur Winemakers and Brewers Federation National Competition Rules as from the Biennial General Meeting held at Dunedin 2013 All entries are to be in accordance with the class specifications for that entry. A fee, as set Read More
The Classification of Fruits, Vegetables, Grains, Flowers and Whatever for Wine-making. National Specifications The National specifications for wines currently include specifications for Dry, Medium and Sweet wines with a range of fruit and other product classes and a group of Read More
GUIDE FOR BOTTLE ENTRIES In Transit: All wine bottles are to have corks tied down or have shrink caps fitted. Beer, Ale, Lager & Stout Entries: Clean brown ABC type 750ml bottles with plain crown caps. Fill level: 30mm from Read More