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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Neudorf Rosie’s Block Moutere Albariño 2025

11 August 2026

Neudorf Rosie’s Block Moutere Albariño 2025 $35 Scented with lemon blossoms and freshly-cut apples, white peach, persimmon, white pepper and gentle honeyed notes which all osmose across to the palate and leave a comet’s tail of zesty-bright, energetic characters. Bright, vibrant and roaring with fresh citrus, this is an ultra-cleansing, organically-crafted example that’ll have you … Read More

Responsible Hedonist Gift of Gab Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2024

7 August 2026

Responsible Hedonist Gift of Gab Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2024 $28 Crafted from Bridge Pa-grown Syrah, this rosé by Chicago-born-now-Waiheke-winemaker Diana Hawkins, has boldness, juiciness, spiciness, florality (love that word) and zesty textures. Which is exactly what you’d expect from a Syrah-based rosé. There’s a solid ribbon of salinity wrapping around cherry, fresh citrus and soft … Read More

Responsible Hedonist Glow Up Hawke’s Bay Pink Pinot Gris 2024

7 August 2026

Responsible Hedonist Glow Up Hawke’s Bay Pink Pinot Gris 2024 $28 The skins of Pinot Gris grapes have a pinky-grey tint to them, hence why when the skins are left to soak in the juice overnight, like winemaker Diana Hawkins has done with this new vintage, the juice takes on a pinky, apricot colour. Perfumed … Read More

Tironui Above & Beyond Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2026

20 June 2026

Tironui Above & Beyond Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2026 $27 Crafted by owner Richard Brown from a blend of 74% Malbec, 19% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon grown high up on terraced vineyards overlooking Napier, this rosé has so much energy it’s like a CrossFit class in a glass. Roaring with spiced watermelon, salted raspberry, pink … Read More

Carrick The Magnetic Organic Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2023

19 June 2026

Carrick The Magnetic Organic Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2023 $80 Youthful and stacked with classic spice saturation, this Bannockburn-grown beauty is crafted using 100% Abel clone fruit (often referred to in New Zealand as the ‘Gumboot Clone’ – google it) to produce a stylish, classy, statuesque style. Soft earthy notes, a lick of roasted rhubarb, baked … Read More

Carrick Organic Bannockburn Pinot Blanc 2025

19 June 2026

Carrick Organic Bannockburn Pinot Blanc 2025 $42 Alsace in France is the spiritual home of Pinot Blanc (a mutation of Pinot Noir), yet it’s clearly loving the schistous soils of Central Otago. I did want to write ‘schisty’ – but stupid grammarly wouldn’t let me. Sigh. Anyhoo, Carrick’s Pinot Blanc style leans into the deeply … Read More

Carrick Josephine Organic Bannockburn Riesling 2025

19 June 2026

Carrick Josephine Organic Bannockburn Riesling 2025 $42 If you’re a fan of citrus-stacked, refreshingly sweet, honey-laced, Mosel-style Riesling, then saddle up and join the gymkhana because Josephine will bring you joy. Hand-picked, whole bunch pressed and fermented wild in stainless steel tanks, it’s a crisp yet generously juicy wine that’ll wake up even the most … Read More

Two Rivers Juliet Marlborough Riesling 2025

18 June 2026

Two Rivers Juliet Marlborough Riesling 2025 $22 Bursting with green apple, honeysuckle, lime juice, white peach, creamed clover honey and perky pear, the Juliet is a Riesling style that’ll wake up even the most flaccid of tastebuds. A splash of sweetness balances out the acidity, making it a lipsmacking style for any reason or season. … Read More

Known Unknown Super Blanc Te Awanga Sauvignon Blanc 2024

25 May 2026

Known Unknown Super Blanc Te Awanga Sauvignon Blanc 2024 $tbc Ultra golden in the glass, this Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc is roaring with youthful freshness, cheek-puckering citrus, gooseberry and green apple goodness. Each sip reveals a peacocks tail of peach, elderflower and freshly baled hay, dried herbs, grapefruit pith and a deep vein of minerality.

Nuala Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2024

16 May 2026

Nuala Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2024 $38 With its exotic aromas of dandelion pollen, marzipan, soft basil, freshly baled hay and gentle lemony layers, this is a beautifully light yet complex sauvignon blanc. Hints of toastiness, a vein of passionfruit and lime zest make for an energetic mouthfeel and impressive length of flavour. Nuala

Nuala Waiora New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Zero NV

16 May 2026

Nuala Waiora New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Zero NV $tbc Gently dealcoholised, this is a green apple-stacked style, with licks of lemongrass, bruised basil, lime and sweet, peachy tones. Nil on alcohol but full on in the flavour stakes – it’s a style that I’m sure will be a summer sensation. Nuala Wines

Nuala Central Otago Pinot Noir 2023

14 May 2026

Nuala Central Otago Pinot Noir 2023 $38  Softly smoky and showing a fine line of classic rhubarb, scorched fruitwood, baked cherry, gentle pepper and dried thyme flow from the nose to the palate in fine form. Clean, dry, refreshing and yet showing depth, generosity and fine-grained tannins to finish. Nuala

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.