The Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) International Symposium is regarded as the marquee event in the global wine calendar. Launched in Oxford in 1982 and last hosted in Wiesbaden, Germany in 2023, the 11th International Symposium will see the event travel to Adelaide, South Australia. The host of the 2027 event is the South Australian Government with support from Wine Australia.
The event is organised by the Institute of Masters of Wine. The IMW’s mission is to foster excellence, interaction and learning across all sectors of the global wine community. As well as running the MW study programme, the IMW programme of worldwide events offers unparalleled opportunities to taste and learn.
These tastings and seminars, including the international symposium, are open for anyone to attend – you don’t have to be a Master of Wine to join in.
As the IMW’s flagship event, the symposium programme seeks to take a critical look at the world of wine and its future. There will be world-class tastings, thought-provoking presentations and controversial debate, as well as exciting themed lunches and dinners organised by our sponsors and hosts.
Open to anyone to attend, the symposium offers outstanding networking opportunities and will run over four stimulating days from 15 to 18 April 2027.
April 15, 2027 10:00The symposium will open with a grand Australian trade tasting, showing the quality and diversity of Australian wine. Delegates will have the opportunity to taste wines from right across Australia, meet producers and network with other attendees.
April 15, 2027 13:00April 15, 2027 14:00April 15, 2027 16:00April 15, 2027 18:00The opening dinner night will be held at the National Wine Centre, set on the edge of the iconic Adelaide Botanic Gardens. The evening will be a relaxed and welcoming celebration with a dash of famed Australian spirit, innovation and creativity. Dinner will be cooked over a live fire pit while delegates mingle and taste a selection of South Australian wines.
April 16, 2027 08:30Moderator: Sarah Abbott MW
Speakers: Dylan Grigg, Rosa Kruger, Gonzaga Santesteban
Old vines reveal that diversity underpins resilience, quality and cultural continuity in wine. This session explores old vineyards as genetically diverse populations shaped by survival and selection, and the technical, commercial and viticultural innovations safeguarding their legacy.
April 16, 2027 10:30Moderator: Emma Symington MW
Speakers: Giles Cooke MW, Ken Forrester, Shauna Rosenblum and Ioanna Vamvakouri
This is a truly one-off tasting where four top winemakers from four different countries have each created a pair of wines especially for the symposium where the only variable is vine age. Assyrtiko, Chenin Blanc, Grenache and Zinfandel will each be tasted to see how a wine made from old vines compares to one made from young vines. Delegates will then be able to answer the question for themselves, does vine age matter?
April 16, 2027 12:00Austrian Wine has long been an enthusiastic supporter of the IMW and has worked with many MWs to promote Austrian wines around the globe. Austrian wines now have global reputation for their freshness, minerality and elegance, as well as for the particularly environmentally conscious methods used in their production. Enjoy a selection of Austrian wines with your lunch today.
April 16, 2027 13:30April 16, 2027 15:30During this walkaround tasting, Master of Wine winemakers will show their most interesting vinous achievements. Poured by the MWs, you will taste a rich assortment of styles from all corners of the world.
April 16, 2027 18:00A staple favourite of symposium tradition is an evening of local winery and vineyard visits, concluded with a dinner. Delegates will visit a winery in McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills or Barossa in a small group for an evening of personalised tours, tastings and dinner to really experience Australian hospitality.
April 17, 2027 08:10Moderator: Matt Deller MW
Speakers: Emma Brown, Cokie Ponikvar, Sebastian Bredal MW, Professor Byron Sharp
Wine sits at a point of rapid cultural change as new generations transform how they discover, engage with and value what they drink. This session explores how wine can grow its relevance by understanding the forces behind that change and the opportunities they create. Delegates will gain clear insight into the behavioural, cultural, technological and communication shifts shaping modern drinkers, and take away practical ways for wine businesses to build stronger connection, visibility and meaning in a fast evolving world.
April 17, 2027 10:30April 17, 2027 14:00Moderator: Ross Wise MW
Speakers: Dr Christine Bottcher, Dr Darrell Lizamore, Syuzanna Mosikyan
The session examines how genetic research is improving vine resilience, efficiency, and adaptability under increasing heat, disease pressure, and climatic variability - and how future regulatory settings impact what is possible. It also considers how gene technologies are perceived by various wine consumers, offering insight into understanding and acceptance across the wine sector. Attendees will leave with an understanding of what genetics can deliver now, what could be unlocked in the future, and the key questions the wine sector must openly debate as these tools move toward real-world adoption.
April 17, 2027 15:30This session tackles one of the defining challenges facing fine winemaking today: how to preserve freshness, harmony, and site expression as heat, volatility, and risk increase. This forward-thinking session explores emerging approaches in fermentation, bio-acidification, bioprotection, and smoke taint management. Delegates will gain insight into how wineries can apply new technologies and evolve cellar practices to recalibrate and stay ahead of warmer, more variable seasons – while continuing the pursuit of balanced, fine wines.
The closing Gala Dinner will be the unforgettable highlight of the 2027 Symposium - an evening that brings together the essence of Australia through iconic landmarks, exquisite cuisine, world-class wines, and deeply rooted cultural storytelling.
April 18, 2027 09:00April 18, 2027 11:00Delivered by Felicity Carter.
The symposium will open with a Welcome to Country in Kaurna language, acknowledging the traditional owners of the land. The rest of the day comprises a thoughtful session questioning decolonisation of the wine industry and the importance of inclusion, alongside an Australian trade tasting to taste wines and meet winemakers from across Australia before the opening dinner at the National Wine Centre.
Old vines is a major theme of day 2 with a plenary session discussing some of the latest evidence-based research into old vines and their value, followed by a very special tasting where four winemakers have created bespoke pairs of wines where the only variable is vine age. The MW winemakers tasting is always a symposium highlight, as is the special winery dinners out in region.
Day 3 will encourage delegates to challenge some of the existing paradigms in the wine industry. We will debate how wine can connect in a changing world, explore how wines age under cork and screwcap in a masterclass, consider gene editing in grape vines and question how to make great wine in a changing climate. The day will finish with a spectacular gala dinner, hosted by the South Australian government.
The final day will start with a session exploring a big question - does wine matter? Following this will be a superlative masterclass of some of the world’s greatest wines which will consider the value of wine, the impact of the secondary market and how important these benchmarks are to the industry today. Felicity Carter will then present the closing keynote, leading into the final lunch.
Beyond the official programme, delegates have the opportunity to take part in a selection of exclusive trips across Australia. Hosted directly by the regional bodies of these iconic wine regions this is your chance to enhance your visit to Australia before and after the official symposium programme. You can explore the options below. Spaces are limited so don’t miss out. If you already have a ticket for the symposium and want add a trip you can do so via the ‘manage my booking’ page. Contact zmaltby@mastersofwine.org if you have any questions about trip bookings.
Langhorne Creek is a dynamic habitat where flowing rivers and creeks reach into vital lake systems and the pristine Southern Ocean. Join us for an unforgettable three-day wine escape in the heart of South Australia’s Langhorne Creek wine region. Surrounded by rolling vineyards and charming cellar doors, you’ll indulge in expertly curated tastings and meet passionate winemakers. The itinerary blends relaxed country hospitality with premium wine experiences, including exclusive vineyard tours, long-table lunches, and stunning scenery. This immersive trip promises a perfect balance of flavour, discovery, and connection.
Barossa is a region of layered stories, expressive wines and deep roots. Few regions in the world produce both cool and warm climate wines side by side, and this diversity is part of what makes Barossa unique. The Barossa wine community invite you to explore the themes that shape our identity: Barossa Grounds, Old Vines, Generations, and Flavours. Taste how Shiraz expresses place and maker. Discover how vines over a century old still thrive, and how our culture continues to evolve. From Eden Valley’s quiet rise to the power of the Barossa Valley floor, meet the people who grow, make and share Barossa with the world.
Discover McLaren Vale, one of Australia’s oldest and most celebrated wine regions. Shaped by 185 years of winegrowing, a pristine coastline and Mediterranean climate, with one of the most complex geological make-ups of any wine region in the world, McLaren Vale has an excitingly diverse range of sub-regions and microclimates to uncover.
This unforgettable trip will take guests from the hills to the ocean, all while enjoying world-class wines made from Grenache, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and a pioneering range of varieties well-suited to McLaren Vale’s climate and fresh coastal cuisine.
The Adelaide Hills is the premier cool climate wine region of South Australia. The wine producers and grape growers of the Adelaide Hills look forward to welcoming you to a visit across the multi-facets of this winegrowing gem hovering above the Adelaide CBD. Our guests will spend a full day immersed in Chardonnay, our regional signature followed by a second day exploring the diverse Hills landscape of legacy and emerging varietals.
The Great Southern wine region of Western Australia is widely celebrated as producing some of Australia’s finest cool climate wines.
We are inviting a select number of symposium guests to explore the Great Southern region immediately before the Adelaide 2027 symposium in a comprehensive and immersive industry-led program of activities. Introducing you to the Great Southern of Western Australila and the 5 sub-regions of Albany, Denmark, Frankland River, Mt Barker and Porongurup. Providing the opportunity to participate in a range of curated producer tastings, and regional masterclasses. Bringing you behind the scenes to fully explore the viticulture, winemaking and unique ancient terroirs of the Great Southern.
The Margaret River Region is a living and breathing embodiment of ancient geography and Wadandi song lines. Natural beauty, abundance of space, fine wine and fresh coastal air make a holiday here the remedy to modern life. Today we walk softly on Wadandi Boodja and practice living and travelling through the region in a sustainable way, to ensure the natural environment is preserved and protected.
When visiting Tasmania, you visit Australia’s ‘coolest’ wine region. This program has been created to share some exceptional wine with you, a few secrets, a few stories and also showcase some of Tasmania’s other highlights – our incredible wildlife, our food scene and a museum like none other on the planet. Yes, that’s all here in this little island on the edge of the world. Tassie is different; we might be small, but we’re big on the inside and love sharing our produce, wine and stories with friends.
The Hunter Valley occupies a distinctive place in the global wine conversation. As Australia’s oldest continuous wine region, its vineyards reflect nearly two centuries of viticultural knowledge, adaptation and refinement.
Internationally recognised for its expression of Semillon, the Hunter Valley produces a style found nowhere else in the world. Alongside this sits Hunter Valley Shiraz and increasingly, Chardonnay which has emerged as a compelling part of the region’s story.
Delegates will explore historic vineyards, meet visionary producers and experience innovative approaches that define the region's current wine styles, all set among some of the country's most storied and beautiful vineyard landscapes.
Discover the heart and soul of Australian Cabernet country with an immersive three-day journey through Coonawarra, one of the Australia’s most distinguished wine regions. Famed for its vivid terra rossa soils, cool maritime climate, and over a century of winemaking heritage, Coonawarra produces wines of extraordinary elegance, structure and longevity. Experience first-hand the region’s geology, terroir and the people who bring its wines to life. Through a blend of guided tastings, vineyard visits, and cultural experiences, discover how soil, climate, and community combine to produce wines of remarkable elegance, balance and longevity.
The 11th international symposium will take place in Adelaide, Australia.
Adelaide, is a gateway to 18 distinctive, world-renowned wine regions and more than 200 cellar doors within an hour’s drive of the city. Situated in South Australia, Adelaide is known as the wine capital of Australia. Boasting an international airport only 7km from the city centre and on the doorstep to the Clare Valley, McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, Adelaide Hills, Eden Valley and Langhorne Creek.
The Adelaide Convention Centre is our primary venue, centrally located in the heart of Adelaide and surrounded by many hotel options. Preferential rates have been secured at a selection of nearby hotels for symposium delegates and will be available soon for booking.
Stay tuned, hotel offerings are coming soon!
The symposium is organised by the Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW). The majority of the IMW team is based in at the IMW HQ in London. You can find out more about the IMW by visiting www.mastersofwine.org
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Wine Australia empowers the success of the Australian wine sector through Research, Innovation and Adoption to enhance global competitiveness and meet the challenges of tomorrow, today; Market Development to increase the demand and premium paid for Australian wine; and Regulatory Services to safeguard Australian wine’s integrity and uphold the sector’s reputation.
Wine Australia is funded by the sector, for the sector, through grapegrower, winemaker and exporter levies and user-pays charges, with matching funds from the Australian Government for research and innovation. Established under the Wine Australia Act 2013, it is a Commonwealth Government statutory authority.
Wine Australia has lots of tools, resources and materials freely available to support wine businesses, wine professionals and students. Whatever your role, there is everything you need to explore, teach, and stay up to date with Australian wine.
Australianwine.com: Explore Australian wine through winemaker stories, regional insights and wine guides, and find new wines for your portfolio in the Expo, a virtual exhibition showcasing export-ready Australian wineries and wines. Visit the Australian Wine trade calendar to sign up for events, meet wineries and distributors, and catch up with the Wine Australia team.
Australian Wine Discovered: A free-to-use educational platform that provides information on key regions, grape varieties and topics such as old vines and sparkling wine. With comprehensive guides, editable presentations, images, quizzes, maps and videos, it is a valuable resource for training, event preparation, research or personal studies.
Market Insights: Interactive and comprehensive data and insights on Australian wine. Tools include the Wine Geographical Indications (GIs) Dashboard, Export Dashboard and National Vintage Survey Dashboard.
Research and Innovation: Find out about current research and browse reports from completed projects, from minimising the impact of pests and diseases to reducing carbon emissions.
Sustainable Winegrowing Australia: The national sustainability programme for grapegrowers and winemakers, measuring, reporting and encouraging best practices in vineyards and wineries.
