2026 HAWKE’S BAY WINE AUCTION MAKES HISTORY WITH RECORD $454,182 RAISED FOR CRANFORD HOSPICE – Hawke’s Bay’s wine community has delivered a record-breaking result, with the 2026 Hawke’s Bay Wine Auction raising $454,182 for Cranford Hospice – more than $84,000 above the previous record set just last year.
Now in its 34th year, the 2026 Hawke’s Bay Wine Auction annual charity auction brings together some of Hawke’s Bay’s leading winemakers, who donate exceptional wines and one-off releases to raise funds for specialist palliative care in the region.
Saturday’s result eclipsed the previous record of $370,000 and reflected extraordinary support from the wine industry and bidders, who pushed a number of lots to remarkable prices.
Hawke’s Bay Wine Auction General Manager Sam Kershaw said the result was a powerful demonstration of the generosity of the region’s wine community.
“This result came from an extraordinary combination of generosity. Our winemakers put forward an exceptional line-up of wines, many created specifically for the auction, and our bidders responded in an incredible way.
“People came ready to get behind Cranford Hospice. They bid well beyond expectations, and we also had substantial private donations from people who simply wanted to contribute more. To see that level of generosity was incredibly special.”
Among the standout results was $21,000 for 288 bottles of de la terre’s 2026 Chablis-style Chardonnay, created as part of the auction’s Chardonnay Collaboration with No.287 Vineyard and Greatvine Services.
The initiative began with No.287 Vineyard donating more than three tonnes of premium Chardonnay fruit. More than 180 hours of volunteer hand-picking were coordinated by Greatvine Services before the fruit was shared between de la terre, Radburnd Cellars and Chris Scott Wines.
Each winemaker created their own interpretation from the same vineyard fruit, producing three distinct full-barrique lots exclusively for the auction. Together, the Chardonnay Collaboration lots raised almost $50,000 for Cranford Hospice.
Some of the day’s most remarkable results came from significantly smaller volumes of wine. Just 30 litres of Askerne Estate Winery 2025 Gewürztraminer sold for $20,000, while six magnums of Collaboration Wines 2025 Cabernet Franc fetched $11,000.
“There were some extraordinary prices paid per bottle, and that says a lot about what people were prepared to do to support Cranford Hospice,” Kershaw said. “Many of these wines have been blended or produced exclusively for the Hawke’s Bay Wine Auction and are unavailable through normal retail channels. This gives bidders the opportunity to take home something genuinely unique while supporting an organisation that means an enormous amount to this region.”
Art also made a significant contribution to the record total. Multiple works donated by Napier artist Glen Colechin, including his feature copper sculpture Perpetual Harvest and additional handcrafted copper leaves, collectively raised $22,000.
The day also marked a significant milestone for Peter Cowley, who is stepping down from the organising committee after 35 years of involvement with the Hawke’s Bay Wine Auction.
“I’ve watched this auction grow and evolve over many years, but the heart of it has never changed. It is about people giving what they can – winemakers giving remarkable wines, businesses giving their support, volunteers giving their time and bidders giving incredibly generously” Cowley said.
The Hawke’s Bay Wine Auction is the largest annual private fundraiser for Cranford Hospice and has brought the region’s wine industry and wider community together in support of the hospice for more than three decades.
Kershaw said the record result represented an extraordinary new benchmark. “We knew there was something special happening in the room, but to finish at $454,182 was a truly unforgettable moment. “On Saturday, Hawke’s Bay made history – but much more importantly, it did it for Cranford Hospice.”