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YVONNE LORKINA fan of all things fermented...Get in touchscroll down to read my latest reviews
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Co-Founder & Chief Tasting Officer WineFriend Owner/Executive Producer Thirsty Media Ltdscroll down to read my latest reviews
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Wine Writer NZ Herald CANVASscroll down to read my latest reviewsWine & Beverages WriterdishMagazine

CHECK OUT THE LATEST REVIEWS
Keep up with the very latest below or browse for your favourite reviews
Le Grá Wairarapa Sparkling Cuvée 2024
3 July 2025Le Grá Wairarapa Sparkling Cuvée 2024 $47 Brian and Nicky Geary have blended a parcel of their Sauvignon Blanc with a hefty splash of skin-fermented Pinot Gris and put the wine through a method traditionnelle fermentation to create a uniquely herbaceous, citrus-stacked style of sparkler that’ll get any party started. Le Grá
Alta Alella Privat Brut Nature Organic Cava Rosé 2021
1 July 2025Alta Alella Privat Brut Nature Organic Cava Rosé 2021 $40 Entering its mature phase, this wine is organically certified and crafted from monastrell (or mataro) grapes grown in sauló (sandy-granitic) soils in Catalonia, just south of Barcelona. In fact, Alta Alella is the closest winery to the city. It’s an attractively dry, minerally, spicy, chalky … Read More
Folding Hill Orchard Block Central Otago Pinot Noir 2021
30 June 2025Folding Hill Orchard Block Central Otago Pinot Noir 2021 $65 Named after the western boundary of the vineyard, which happens to be an orchard of cider apple trees and the most sheltered spot on the vineyard site. It’s a super-stylish example and more intensely aromatic and textural than the previous vintage. An extended 18-month maturation … Read More
Four Daughters Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2024
26 June 2025Four Daughters Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2024 Lemongrass and bruised basil merge with classic cut grass and white pepper characters on the nose. Fresh and yet showing a smoky undertone on the nose and palate and finishing with a ripe lemon and passionfruit punchiness. Uncomplicated and fruity.
Schubert Martinborough Rose 2023
24 June 2025Schubert Martinborough Rose 2023 $39 Crafted from 100% Pinot Noir grown in Kai Schubert’s tiny wee vineyard in central Martinborough, this limited edition rosé is the cutest colour of freshly filleted trout and has lifted aromatics of pink peppercorn, white strawberry, quince, quartzy minerality and redcurrant and soft raspberry. All those delicious things osmose across … Read More
Soljans Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2024
23 June 2025Soljans Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2024 $25 Erupting with bright passionfruit, lemonade, lime zest, bright peach and buckets of fresh green herbs and plucky peapod notes, this Sauvignon Blanc is classic sunshine in a bottle stuff. Gentle, juicy, cleansing and citrus-stacked, it’s tropic-tastic to sip. Soljans Estate
Whitehaven Marlborough Pinot Gris 2023
23 June 2025Whitehaven Marlborough Pinot Gris 2023 $25 Deliciously dry yet erupting with punchy pear, fresh quince and nashi notes laced with white pepper, spiced peach and gentle acidity make this a fresh, approachable and cleansing sip. Whitehaven
Whitehaven Marlborough Chardonnay 2023
23 June 2025Whitehaven Marlborough Chardonnay 2023 $25 Bright, vibrant, roast nectarine and grilled grapefruit characters on the nose and palate, interlaced with crisp acidity, beautifully balanced oak treatment, creamy stonefruit, almond meal and soft, buttery, caramelised characters to finish. Whitehaven
Spoke Resolute Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2023
23 June 2025Spoke Resolute Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2023 I love that winemaker Ben Glover has used the words ‘feral fermentation’ on the back label of this wine because that’s exactly what’s happened to create this fabulously funky, moody, broody style. Wild yeasts, a long, slow ferment, and extended time being matured on its lees has created a … Read More
Terrace Edge Waipara Valley Rosé 2024
18 June 2025Terrace Edge Waipara Valley Rosé 2024 $26 Crafted from a blend of 60% Syrah and 40% Pinot Noir that were crushed and left for 24hrs on their skins in order for this deliciously pink colour from the dark skins to bleed into the juice to create this vibrant colour. The Syrah adds sexy, peppery texture … Read More
Q Waitaki Valley Rosé 2024
18 June 2025Q Waitaki Valley Rosé 2024 $35 I love the pale trout coral colour and how its nose erupts with white raspberry, soft cherry, white pepper and fleshy, Pink Lady apple notes. Wickedly good stuff here from Waitaki, a region which sits on the border of South Canterbury and North Otago. Stuff which boasts a hint … Read More
Equilibrium Te Muna Martinborough Rosé 2024
18 June 2025Equilibrium Te Muna Martinborough Rosé 2024 $30 This bright, new, super-crisp wine really benefits from a whoomph of oxygen, so give your glass a really good swirl before that first sip. Dry, crunchy citrus, strawberry and white raspberry characters, lead to plush textures and a mouthwatering, Provence-like mid-palate. Generously juicy and soothingly spicy to finish. … 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.