A collection of writing about New Zealand Wine
A Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough. There is a movement in Marlborough with producers seeking to showcase the different aspects of vineyards located throughout ‘Marlborough’ as a whole, and what that …
Rohe Blind River Sauvignon Blanc 2022 Read More
Planted in 1991 at the top of the Brancott Valley, the Clayvin Vineyard was Marlborough’s first significant hillside vineyard. Now owned by the Giesen winemaking family, with Te Whare Ra …
Te Whare Ra ‘Clayvin’ Pinot Noir 2016 Read More
The fruit for the 2019 Totto Syrah came from various sites on Waiheke Island which are close planted, dry farmed, with an average vine age of 40 years on steeply …
Man O’War Kulta ‘Totto’ 2019 Read More
Made by a young winemaking duo – Alina and Masha in Marlborough, as a side hustle from their ‘real’ jobs making wine on much larger scale. Originally from Ukraine, they …
Brave Roots Viognier 2024 Read More
The sixth edition of The Tasting Table was convened this week – at local Asian-Fusion restaurant Big Fish Eatery in Penrose, Auckland. I had a great selection of wines to …
The Tasting Table – September 2026 Read More
Esk Valley winemaker Gordon Russell best known wine is his iconic red field blend ‘The Terraces’ but in my opinion was perhaps at his best when creating wines for the …
Esk Valley ‘Winemakers Reserve’ Syrah 2009 Read More
From a cooler vintage in Bannockburn. Hand-picked fruit was whole bunch pressed. The natural fermentation with indigenous yeasts was stopped by chilling to balance the high natural acidity with residual …
Felton Road ‘Block 1′ Riesling 2020 Read More
A colleague in the industry (thanks Maxime) put me onto this new label from Marlborough that hadn’t crossed my path before. As busy people, it wasn’t possible to get to …
Brave Roots – a new label from Marlborough Read More
A Pinot Noir from the Waitaki Valley, which has a cool climate with limestone-sloped hillsides. A recent vintage was the winner of the ‘Best New Zealand Red Wine’ Trophy at …
Clos Ostler Caroline’s Pinot Noir 2016 Read More
One of Hawke’s Bay’s most respected winemaking names has found a permanent home, with the Radburnd Family purchasing the historic Stonecroft Winery on the Gimblett Gravels from Fistonich Family Vineyards. …
Radburnd Cellars puts down permanent roots at historic Hawke’s Bay winery Read More