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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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

Nuala Reserve Central Otago Pinot Noir 2024

11 May 2026

Nuala Reserve Central Otago Pinot Noir 2024 $tbc A smorgasbord of five different Bannockburn-grown Pinot Noir clones has been partially whole-bunch fermented with wild yeasts then blended by winemaker Paul Martung to create a distinctly savoury, exotically spicy and smoke-saturated style that’ll clear the nose and soothe the throat. Roaring with vibrantly classic cherry and … Read More

Nuala Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2025

11 May 2026

Nuala Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2025 $tbc I know the words ‘green goddess’ are normally used to describe a super-trendy salad dressing, but here and now I’m lending the term to this shiny-new Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough wunderkind Nuala. Crunchy-crisp and cleansing, this cheek-puckering Sauvignon saturates the palate with lemon and lime, and it’s prickled with … Read More

Nuala Central Otago Riesling 2025

11 May 2026

Nuala Central Otago Riesling 2025 $tbc From a shiny-new label headed by winemaker Paul Martung, this is an apple-centric Riesling in the extreme! Sourced from fruit grown in Bannockburn and Gibbston, think Granny Smith, Pacific Queen and Fuji fabulousness, combining with Rose’s Lime Cordial and luscious lemon zest on the nose and palate. Citrus-stacked and … Read More

Astrolabe Beacon Hill Southern Valleys Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2024

6 May 2026

Astrolabe Beacon Hill Southern Valleys Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2024 $40 There is nothing about crafting great Sauvignon Blanc that winemaker Simon Waghorn doesn’t know. He’s basically the Obi-Wan Kenobi of New Zealand Sauvignon. The Gandalf of the good stuff. In his new Beacon Hill vintage, prepare for a fragrant tsunami of freshly-shelled sugar snap peas, … Read More

Zephyr Marlborough Blanc de Blancs Methode Traditionnelle 2019

8 April 2026

Zephyr Marlborough Blanc de Blancs Methode Traditionnelle 2019 $75 Created from just 600 Chardonnay vines grown in their Alice Mills vineyard in Rapaura, this deliciously dry, mineral-laced sparkling wine captures the delicate citrus florals and soft, nutty lacings that great blanc de blanc demands. Almost 6 years on lees has injected depth, freshness and precision … Read More

Trinity Hill Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2024 

23 February 2026

Trinity Hill Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2024 $24.99 2024 is proving to be an absolute banger of a vintage for Hawke’s Bay reds, and I think this example is one of the best-value merlots on the market right now. Grown in their Gimblett Stones vineyard, this wine is a smoky sensation that’s rich, dense and yet … Read More

Known Unknown Vin Jeanne Bridge Pa Sauvignon Blanc 2019 375ml

23 February 2026

Known Unknown Vin Jeanne Bridge Pa Sauvignon Blanc 2019 375ml $35 It pretty much is what it says on the tin. Or should I say ‘label’ but in unique fashion. Inspired by the wines of Jura, winemaker Jules van Costello has crafted a single barrel of organic Bridge Pa Sauvignon Blanc that’s been barrel-fermented and … Read More

Known Unknown Bloody Vermouth (500ml)

21 February 2026

Known Unknown Bloody Vermouth (500ml) $45 This Negroni-friendly sweet vermouth is crafted using a Blood Orange oleo saccharum syrup made with equal parts sugar and Blood Orange Peel (“to bring out the peel aromatics”), alongside dried orange zest, cardamom, saffron, dried kawakawa berries, and bittering aromatics like wormwood, rhubarb root, and cinchona bark. It’s then added … 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.