Tickets havegone on sale for one of the biggest annual wine events in New Zealand, Winetopia, which takes place in Wellington at the TSB Arena from Friday 16 June to Saturday 17 June and in Auckland at the Viaduct Events Centre from Friday 21 July to Saturday 22 July.

This year's event will see new presenters at the Wellington event, including Australian writer and wine critic Mike Bennie and filmmaker-wine educator David Nash. Long term presenters at Winetopia who remain this year include yours truly and fellow Wellingtonian, Master of Wine Stephen Wong.

“The events have typically reached capacity over the past few years so we have now secured the larger Viaduct Events Centre for Winetopia in Auckland, which allows us to provide a quality experience for more visitors, while also growing the entertainment and culinary offering at the event. We look forward to presenting more than 50 premium and boutique wine producers in both cities and a really exciting presenter line-up. Some incredible wines have been made in New Zealand in the past few years and visitors are in for a real treat as these are all opened at the event," says event director Rob Eliott, who says this year's line up also includes Gaggenau Sommeliers Sessions in Auckland and comedian Ben Hurley at both events as an MC.

This year's schedule includes casual walk-around tastings from exhibiting wineries, informal expert-led blind wine tastings and masterclasses, which need to be booked for in advance. The main aim of both events is an informal, fun space to taste, enjoy and, for those who wish to, to learn about wine.

• Buy tickets and find out more at www.winetopia.co.nz