I’m super-proud to be the co-founder and CTO (Chief Tasting Officer) of WineFriend, the best personalised wine delivery service this side of the black stump. We help our customers navigate the vast number of wines out there in the marketplace then we match them to wines that unique and awesomely tasty. Read more about WineFriend

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CHECK OUT THE LATEST REVIEWS

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Domain Road Central Otago Pinot Noir Rosé 2021

November 30, 2021

Domain Road Central Otago Pinot Noir Rosé 2021 $28 A sensational snappy-fresh rosé here from Graeme Crosbie’s family vineyard in Bannockburn. Roaring with redcurrant, watermelon and cherry notes, a hint of citrus and creaming soda, it’s a beautifully balanced, richly structured style. Dry, mouthfilling and boasting impressive length of flavour. Domain Road

Stad_ko Martinborough Pinot Noir 2020

November 30, 2021

Stad_ko Martinborough Pinot Noir 2020 $39 Clones 115, 667 and 777 from Robert Stadniczenko’s Arapai vineyard on the Dry River Flats, comes this dry, spicy, leather layered and earthy pinot noir that’s been partially whole-bunch fermented, partially foot-stomped and given a long, quiet, post ferment sleepy time in barrel for 10 months. Edged with allspice … Read More

Tiki Single Vineyard North Canterbury Chardonnay 2019

November 30, 2021

Tiki Single Vineyard North Canterbury Chardonnay 2019 $23 paired with: Lemon roasted chicken with dukkah – Dinner for Six dish Magazine Issue 101 When it comes to lemony chicken, you’re gonna be wanting a lemony chardonnay without all that creamy, buttery carry on. That’s why the Tiki North Canterbury Chardonnay 2019 ($23) will be the … Read More

Stad_ko Martinborough Chardonnay 2020

November 30, 2021

Stad_ko Martinborough Chardonnay 2020 $34 Sourced from Robert Stadniczenko’s Arapai vineyard on the Dry River Flats, this is a lightly-styled, grapefruity, lemony chardonnay that was hand-picked, whole bunch pressed and send straight to barrel to ferment. Following that, it’s had 10 months of quiet, sleepy time before being bottled. Bright, vibrant and has a green … Read More

Stad-ko Wines Martinborough Pinot Noir Rosé 2020

November 30, 2021

Stad-ko Wines Martinborough Pinot Noir Rosé 2020 $29 Crafted by Robert Stadniczenko and his son, Anton, this rosé was made using the biggest, handpicked bunches of pinot noir in their vineyard. They were crushed and separated from their skins after a pretty, coral-pink colour had bled into the juice and then 25% of that juice … Read More

TeePee Cider The Earl’s Drop Methode Albion Cider 2017

November 30, 2021

TeePee Cider The Earl’s Drop Methode Albion Cider 2017 750ml 6.7% $28 Created by retired radiologist Dr Trevor Fitzjohn ONZM, TeePee is a new artisan cider crafted from a tiny, organic, heritage, cider apple orchard in the Wairarapa. The grass which grows around the trees is kept manicured by the nibbly trimming of ever-present sheep. … Read More

Blackenbrook Nelson Pinot Blanc 2021

November 28, 2021

Blackenbrook Nelson Pinot Blanc 2021 $29 Remember the greatest gifts you ever got? A BMX, a Barbie, a G.I Joe, an Atari2600, a fishing rod and that awesome DIY tattoo gun? Well the joy that this delicious sip delivers, is just like turning seven and getting a recorder and a walkie talkie for your birthday. … Read More

Squawking Magpie Daisy Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2021

November 25, 2021

Squawking Magpie Daisy Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2021 $24 Crafted from syrah and merlot, this ripe and rumpty new rosé absolutely fangs with florals and bright berries from woah to go. Awash with plum and red apple flavours in the mid-palate, there’s a lacing of pink peppercorn and citrus on the finish, making it a deliciously … Read More

Waipara Hills Waipara Valley Pinot Noir Rosé 2021

November 24, 2021

Waipara Hills Waipara Valley Pinot Noir Rosé 2021 $15 If you’ve a hankering for a rich, ripe, berry-stacked rosé that will absolutely wow the crowds (or if you’re not one for sharing, satisfy you solo) then this is the business. Heaving with cherry, raspberry, watermelon, a lick of creaming soda and finishing with a flourish … Read More

Mud House The Narrows Marlborough Pinot Noir 2020

November 24, 2021

Mud House The Narrows Marlborough Pinot Noir 2020 $21.99 The ‘Narrows’ has fast become one of my favourite, best-value pinot noirs in the country. Highly complex, deeply fruity, dark, fulsome and supremely elegant” noted Yvonne, while Cameron loved its injection of cranberry, pomegranate and vanilla across its firm tannins. Marty agreed, “intensely aromatic and loaded … Read More

Pegasus Bay Vergence Red MKI Pinot Noir 2018

November 22, 2021

Pegasus Bay Vergence Red MKI Pinot Noir 2018 $40 Waipara is Pegasus Bay’s home, but they’re fans of great fruit no matter where it comes from, so say hi to Central Otago! Vergence is all about pushing the oeno-envelope, so steady yourself for a 100% whole-cluster, carbonic and wild-fermented pinot.  Think whole bunches sealed in … Read More

Petane Late Harvest Gewürztraminer 2021

November 22, 2021

Petane Late Harvest Hawke’s Bay Gewürztraminer 2021 $32 Clearly, the weather gods found favour with Philip Barber and his tiny wee crop of gewürztraminer in the summer of 2021. They were kept clean and dry and managed to hang on the vine long enough to start gently raisining and increasing their natural sugars. They were … 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. Broadcast on Food TV (SKY ch.9), 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.