2026 Kiwis in LA Art Show & Wine Tasting
Kia ora, haere mai!
Welcome to our biggest event of the year: 2026 Kiwis in LA Art Show & Wine Tasting.
Many of you will have enjoyed previous art shows, but if you’re new to Los Angeles or to Kiwis in LA since our last show in 2019, this is one event you must not miss. It’s an incredible night of art, wine, food and entertainment, and a celebration of what being a Kiwis is all about. We expect at least 800 Kiwis and Angelenos for the one-night event. Here are the details of this year’s show:
Saturday 24 October
• Gallery open for viewing: 12pm to 5:00pm
• Reception: 6:00pm to 10:00pm
Studios 3026 3026 Airport Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90405
Entry is free, but with a suggested donation of $20 per person. We don’t have a sponsor for the show this year so Kiwis in LA is covering all the costs, and the entry donation will help us cover some expenses and help us to hold another show next year.
Parking is free, but limited, so we urge you to car pool, use rideshare, or use public transport.
We’re really pleased to have a total of 30 Kiwi and Kiwi-connected artists showing their work, which will include photography, painting, ceramics, neon, jewelry, custom greetings cards, and for the first time, a special book. You’ll find a list of artists and links to their art below.
You’ll be able to taste premium wines from an amazing lineup of 10 Kiwi wineries. These
include Babich Wines, Craggy Range, Gibbston Valley Winery, Greywacke, Spy Valley Wines, Tiki Wine and Vineyards, Tohu Wines, Villa Maria Wines, Whale Islands, and Wither Hills. We've even got a premium New Zealand craft brewery at the show so you can taste their Helles Lager.
We’re incredibly grateful to each of the wineries for donating their wine and giving their time so you can taste some of New Zealand’s best.
And to accompany the superb wines? Pies and sausage rolls!
A highlight of past shows has been the performance by a kapa haka group, and we’re very lucky this year to have Ngāti Ānahera join us to perform traditonal waiata, poi and haka. See you there!
Volunteers Needed
We'd Love your help!
We simply cannot hold the Kiwis in LA Art Show & Wine Tasting without the support of an army of volunteers. We need help setting up, people at reception greeting guests, wine pourers and, of course, help cleaning up.
Please let us know if you’re able to help.
2026 Kiwis in LA Art Show & Wine Tasting Wineries
The Babich family have been making wine in New Zealand since 1916, making them New Zealand’s most experienced family-owned winery. It is this legacy and passion that David Babich brings as the latest generation to run Babich Wines. One of the keys to decades of success, is ensuring that they have vineyards in the right regions on superior sites, and getting the right varieties on those superior sites. This allows Babich to sustainably craft wines that are stylish and refined and have easy drinking appeal. While Babich remains firmly rooted in its West Auckland heritage, it has vineyards in two regions – Marlborough and Hawkes Bay. In 1984, Babich began producing wine from the Gimblett Gravels region in Hawke's Bay. The first Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc was produced in 1991, just as Babich celebrated its 75th Anniversary.
craggy range
Founded in 1998, by the Peabody family, Craggy Range wines come from two core locations with distinct soils and microclimates. Gimblett Gravels in Hawkes Bay is characterized by warm, stony, gravelly soils, ideal for robust reds and rich whites like merlot, syrah, and chardonnay,
while Te Muna Road in Martinborough is defined by windswept, complex alluvial and clay soils suited for aromatic varieties like pinot noir and sauvignon blanc. As Terry Peabody says, “we believe we produce some of the new world's most inspiring fine wines; wines that are a true reflection of the place and people.”
This vision was anchored by the establishment of a 1,000 year trust – a commitment to their long-term thinking. Besides their stunning wines, Craggy Range is known for its award-winning restaurant and boutique lodge at its Hawkes Bay winery, which recently earned a Michelin Key.
Gibbson Valley’s focus is always on handcrafting premium wines and honouring the traditions that have made them a world-renowned destination, since releasing Central Otago's first commercial vintage in 1987. While Gibbston Valley Winery might have started the meteoric rise of the Central Otago Pinot Noir, their range of superb wines include pinot gris, chardonnay, and methode traditonelle. Located in the Gibbston and Bendigo sub-regions, their seven vineyards are exceptionally individual within the stunning Central Otago region. The intricate and diverse landscapes allow the winery to create wines that reflect the site they grow in. Their wines are unfined, unfiltered, and sustainably produced. Gibbston Valley Winery is also renowned for its boutique lodge and spa for a truly unforgettable experience. It recently retained its Michelin Key rating. You can purchase Gibbston Valley wines in the United States here, and join their wine club here.
Gibbston Valley Methode Traditionnelle NV Vintage Sparkling
GV Collection 2024 Rose
Greywacke is New Zealand’s most abundant bedrock. These grey river stones are found throughout Marlborough’s rivers and alluvial vineyard soils. It is this very bedrock, and a long cool growing season, that provides exceptional wine growing conditions. Established in 2009, Greywacke is the signature wine of the Judd family, with renowned winemaker Kevin Judd at the helm. Kevin is one of Marlborough’s pioneer winemakers whose career is intrinsically linked with the global profile of New Zealand wine. Kevin and the team at Greywacke source their fruit from mature vineyards in prime viticultural sites. Crop levels, canopies and growing techniques are carefully managed to ensure concentration of flavour. The result is wines with personality and individuality, and subtle, ripe, delicious-drinking styles.
Greywacke 2025 Sauvignon Blanc
Deep in the 1990s Waihopai Valley, Bryan and Jan Johnson had the audacity to establish 180 hectares of estate vineyards on land considered too hard, too dry and too unfertile for wine. It was a very good call. Sustainability is a critical part of Spy Valley’s ethos. In 1999 the winery was accredited under the New Zealand Sustainable Wine growing scheme which promotes economically and environmentally sustainable vineyard management. Spy Valley is very mindful that it’s their focus on sustainability which will ensure their guardianship of the land for generations to come. The spies might have left Waihopi Valley with their secrets, but Spy Valley continues to produce wines that everyone wants to know about. No wonder their 2025 Sauvignon Blanc won Gold at the 2026 London Wine Competition.
Tiki Wines was founded by Royce and Sue McKean, and is named in honour of Tiki Tere Mihi, Royce’s great-great grandfather and Ngāti Uenuku chieftain. The influence of Royce's mother, Sally Hariata McKean (Ngāti Uenuku Kōpako, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāi Te Rangi) can also be seen in the way the winery does things today. From the outset the winery has been guided by values they inherited - kaitiakitanga, the guardianship of what comes after us; and manaakitanga, the generosity of spirit that turns a meal into a memory. Reflecting their belief in leaving the land in better condition for those who come after, Tiki Wines has farmed their single-vineyard estate regeneratively for the past six years. In 2026, A Greener World certified that work, making Tiki the first vineyard and winery in New Zealand to be certified regenerative.
Tiki 2025 Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc
Tiki 2024 Single Vineyard Pinot Gris
Established in 1998, Tohu Wines is the world’s first
Māori-owned wine company. As an indigenous-owned winery, Tohu’s values reflect who they are and their commitment to producing exceptional wine, values that are deeply rooted in their duty to care for the land. Tohu’s philosophy is to craft wines that capture the distinctive character of each region, while upholding respect for the land and protecting it for future generations. Each wine range, crafted with aroha (love), is a precious gift from the land, inspired by a rich cultural heritage and thebeauty of the surroundings. Indeed, the team at Tohu are guided by Te Pae Tawhiti, a 500-year plan that shapes their purpose, values and decisions, reflecting their long-term commitment to sustainability and quality.
He mātāmua taketake – the original.
In 1961, at just 21 years of age, Sir George Fistonich leased five acres of land from his father in Mangere, Auckland and started off with just an acre of vines. The first wine under the nameVilla Maria in 1962 was made with grapes harvested from this block. Today, Villa Maria winesare consistently recognized and awarded for exemplifying the
distinctive New Zealand wine style. New Zealand wines are renowned for their heady flavors and have an incredibly powerful fruit-driven style that is truly unique. Besides making distinctive, vibrant, and most importantly, delicious wines, Villa Maria is known for making bold, industry-changing moves. Villa Maria became a founding Sustainable Wine growing New Zealand member in 1995. In 2001, Villa Maria was the first major winery inthe world to move to 100% screw caps. You can find out where to purchase Villa Maria wines here.
As they say at Villa Maria: Live in the Delicious.
Whale Islands was established in 2013, and is led by wine veteran Ross Burney. Whale Islands represents a major achievement for Ross – balancing creation of premium wines with sustainability. Nowhere is this more evident than in Whale Islands first-of-its-kind resealable 300ml aluminum wine cans. Each can of Whale Islands wine contains the perfect portion – approximately two glasses of wine, and features a resealable cap that preserves freshness. This fusion of ultra-low carbon footprint, full recyclability, and perfect portion makes every sip just a little lighter on the planet. But don’t let the packaging overwhelm the vibrancy of their wines. Whale Islands Sauvignon Blanc is a wine with bright citrus and tropical fruit flavors. Crisp and refreshing, it’s perfect for any occasion.
"Taking our name from the landmark Wither Hills range that borders our vineyards, our philosophy is founded on the belief that the finest wines are always created from exceptional vineyards, representing their sense of place."
Established in 1994 with its first vintage of Sauvignon Blanc, Wither Hills lies in the shadow of the majestic Wither Hills range and has become an iconic part of the Marlborough landscape. The winery has fruit growing in three regions in Marlborough – Rarangi, Taylor River, and Benmorven – along with two regions in Hawkes Bay. With a hands-on approach and meticulous attention to detail, Wither Hills wines are crafted beautifully and reflect the region’s Tūrangawaewae (Māori for “place where we stand”). A unique fusion of land, grapes, climate and people.
Helles Lager is a crisp, refreshing lager with smooth malt flavors and a clean finish.
Coming from New Zealand’s Mad Whale Beer Co, which specializes in producing premium session craft beers, Helles Lager embodies the adventurous spirit and purity for which New Zealand is renowned. A gold medalist at the 2025 New World Beer; Cider Awards, Helles Lager is brewed with local ingredients and signature New Zealand Motueka hops, and is ideal for craft beer drinkers and casual beer fans alike.