I’m super-proud to be the co-founder and CTO (Chief Tasting Officer) of WineFriend, the greatest personalised wine delivery service in all the land. Founded in 2015, we match wine to people. We help our subscribers navigate the crazy-vast number of wines out there in the marketplace by pairing them with wines that only suit their individual tastes. Wines that are delicious, unique and definitely not seen in your average supermarket. Read more about WineFriend

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Chateau Pradeau Mazeau Grand Reserve Bordeaux Supérieur 2023

30 August 2025

Chateau Pradeau Mazeau Grand Reserve Bordeaux Supérieur 2023 $29.99 This blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot from the team at Ch. Toutigeac has a deep garnet hue and roars with dark fruits, blueberry, blackcurrant, blackberry alongside bay and tobacco tones. The palate shows scorched cedar, dark cocoa, vanilla smoke notes and the finish … Read More

Bodegas Borsao Tocado Garnacha 2022

30 August 2025

Bodegas Borsao Tocado Garnacha 2022 $14 An ultra-ripe blend of Grenache, Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon that has a spicy-sweet backbone, warm, plush tannins and strong, floral undertones. It’s dangerously easy to drink. Widely available online

San Marzano Talo Negroamaro Salento IGP 2023

27 August 2025

San Marzano Talo Negroamaro Salento IGP 2023 $26 For such a new Negroamaro, this wine is roaring with ripe boysenberry and dark cocoa characters on the nose and palate. It’s a rich, wholesome, generous red with Christmas cake spices, chocolate ganache, Black Forest gateau, and all manner of spicy, fruity, and plummy goodness. It’s a … Read More

Red Hut Hexton Village Gisborne Albarino 2025

19 August 2025

Red Hut Hexton Village Gisborne Albarino 2025 $24.99 For a brand new Albarino, this wine has excellent depth and generosity. Made by Corey Ryan it shows Pacific Queen apples, pear, stacks of citrus, hints of honeysuckle and grilled nectarine make this a deliciously complex style from one of the original Albarino vineyards in Gisborne.

Red Hut Awatere Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2025

19 August 2025

Red Hut Awatere Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2025 $24.99 Delivering classic lemongrass, smashed herbs, bruised basil, tomato stalk and loads of lime zest roar across the nose and palate,this  Sauvignon Blanc  is  heaving  with  herbaceousness  and  classic  Awatere  Valley  florality.  

Red Hut Marlborough Pinot Gris 2025

19 August 2025

Red Hut Marlborough Pinot Gris 2025 $24.99 Ultra-cleansing and dry-styled, this Pinot Gris has a prickle of pear, green apple, white pepper and peachy tones. Mineral-focused and elegantly lean with classic Awatere Valley florality. Available at restaurants and fine wine stores.

Folding Hill Bendigo Chardonnay 2023

2 August 2025

Folding Hill Bendigo Chardonnay 2023 $38 Wow! Central Otago Chardonnay is absolutely having its moment and I’m exultant about that. From the 2023 vintage the team at Folding Hill have crafted a fantastic example, a style roaring with baked stonefruit, creme brulee, soft caramelised characters a lick of white pepper and grapefruit pith. A style … Read More

Two Rivers Convergence Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2025

1 August 2025

Two Rivers Convergence Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2025 $22 Crafted by winemaker Dave Clouston, this is one of the best value Sauvignon Blanc’s on the market. Brand new and erupting with lemony sweetness, passionfruit sorbet, buckets of mandarin and basil burst across the tongue and gums. It’s delicious now, but I’d love to revisit it in … Read More

Palliser Estate Om Santi Vineyard Martinborough Chardonnay 2023

31 July 2025

Palliser Estate Om Santi Vineyard Martinborough Chardonnay 2023 $85 Sourced from Palliser’s original, gravelly vineyard, Om Santi is certified organic and their flagship Chardonnay, only produced in years when the fruit is deemed exceptional by winemaker Guy McMaster and his team, and designed for maximum impact. And it does exactly that. Erupting with stonefruit intensity, … Read More

Palliser Martinborough Riesling 2024 $32

29 July 2025

Palliser Martinborough Riesling 2024 $32 I love how there’s a ‘sweetness gauge’ on the back label, telling us that this wine leans into the dry side with a tweak of sweetness, which gives it great balance and poise. Classic green apple and lime zest notes are drizzled with a hint of manuka honey, white nectarine, … Read More

Ayrburn Whimsy Central Otago Pinot Noir 2020

28 July 2025

Ayrburn Whimsy Central Otago Pinot Noir 2020 $29 Maturing gracefully and scented with scorched rhubarb, charred cherry, and sunbaked earth, this pinot is delivering classic brick dust and forest floor savoury notes. The textures are slippery, but the acidity is still youthful, and the tannins have powdery pluckiness. Ayrburn

Lateral Wines Bannockburn Skins 2022

28 July 2025

Lateral Wines Bannockburn Skins 2022 $35 A blend of Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc by winemaking couple Pip Batteley and Austin Black, it’s got that bronze-copper colour typical of a skin-soaked example. Aromas of soft white pepper, quartzy minerality, a hint of nashi and fennel. On the palate, there’s a dried herb, smoky vein, dandelion, … Read More

Thirsty Work is a television show that unearths some of the personalities behind New Zealand’s successful and innovative Wine and Beverage Industry. Originally broadcast on Food TV (SKY ch.9) then on TV3 with subsequent eps on Amazon Prime, Thirsty Work soaks up New Zealand’s beverage landscape.  Not just vineyards, but barrel halls, tank rooms, cellar doors, wine stores, supermarkets, breweries and backyard vignerons.

Missed Series 4 of Thirsty Work? Fret not, just  click  here to zoom directly to view on demand.