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YVONNE LORKINA fan of all things fermented...Get in touchscroll down to read my latest reviews -
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
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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Misty Cove Rock Daisy Marlborough Pinot Noir 2025
16 January 2026Misty Cove Rock Daisy Marlborough Pinot Noir 2025 $25 Designed with Summer in mind, this is a bright, light, juicy Pinot Noir that’s perky and punchy when popped in the fridge and serve chilled. Named after the native flower clinging to the cliffs of the Marlborough Sounds, it’s crafted in a vibrant Nouveau style and … Read More
Rock Ferry Trig Hill Central Otago Pinot Noir 2022
2 January 2026Rock Ferry Trig Hill Central Otago Pinot Noir 2022 $45 Tom and Fiona Hutchison are the talented twosome behind the certified organic, biodynamically-farmed Rock Ferry vineyard in Bendigo, Central Otago, and their wine director, Allan McWilliams, has been making wine for Tom Hutchinson and Fiona Harvey at Rock Ferry since they began in the mid-2000s. … Read More
Rock Ferry Trig Hill Central Otago Tempranillo 2022
2 January 2026Rock Ferry Trig Hill Central Otago Tempranillo 2022 $50 Fiona and Tom Hutchison created Rock Ferry back in 2005 and developed the organic, Central Otago-based Trig Hill vineyard at the same time. It’s beyond a stretch for most to attempt growing this Spanish staple in the southernmost wine region of the world — but shiver … Read More
Two Rivers Clos Des Pierres Marlborough Chardonnay 2024
1 January 2026Two Rivers Clos Des Pierres Marlborough Chardonnay 2024 $27-$32 Crafted from some of the oldest Mendoza-clone vines in Marlborough, this new Chardonnay is deliciously toasty, roasty, packed with golden, ripe peach and edged with fragrant grapefruit and creamy, brulee and oatmeal characters. It’s a Chardonnay that winemaker Dave Clouston can be rightly proud of. Sophisticated, … Read More
Rua Central Otago Pinot Noir 2024
31 December 2025Rua Central Otago Pinot Noir 2024 $28 Prepare for the subtle scent of baked cherries and the aroma of thyme, rubbed between your palms. The scent of wild rhubarb, baking spices and raspberry. They merge into a flavour spectrum of redcurrant, black tea, and exotic spices, with textures that are fleshy and lithe, and a … Read More
Schild Estate Barossa Shiraz 2022
30 December 2025Schild Estate Barossa Shiraz 2022 $24.99 If you don’t want to feel ancient, never use the phrase ‘burn CDs’ in front of anyone under 25. The baffled, slightly pitying look they’ll give you will crush your soul. Happily, you can turn to this bright-as-a-button wine to cheer yourself up. Ultra-attractive, it bursts with blackcurrant, fruitcake … Read More
Linden Estate Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet Franc 2022
18 December 2025Linden Estate Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet Franc 2022 $36 Meeting Alex Hendry, Linden’s winemaker, is like meeting an elf-warrior who also happens to be a Mohican punk god that can conjure up magical Merlot-based blends that’ll drag you into his very tasty cult before you can scream “God Save The Queen!” Google him, click ‘images’ … Read More
Linden Estate Hawke’s Bay Syrah Blanc de Noir 2023
15 December 2025Linden Estate Hawke’s Bay Syrah Blanc de Noir 2023 $32 It’s not everyday you see syrah made in the style of a white wine, right? But in a year when most of his vineyards were obliterated by Cyclone Gabrielle, winemaker Alex Hendry felt it couldn’t hurt to experiment. What did he have to lose? Well, … Read More
Linden Destination Series Dam Block Hawke’s Bay 2020
15 December 2025Linden Destination Series Dam Block Hawke’s Bay 2020 $64 While there’s a seriously decent splash of merlot in the mix, the cabernet force is strong in this one. Delivering layers of lifted tobacco, dark cocoa, espresso, iron filings, and dusty carpenter’s workshop notes on the nose and palate, it’s roaring with toasty, smoky complexity. The … Read More
Brown Brothers King Valley Limited Edition Prosecco NV
14 December 2025Brown Brothers King Valley Limited Edition Prosecco NV $19 Released in a limited edition, ultra-lightweight aluminium bottle with a re-sealable, screwcap lid, this Prosecco is the ultimate for laid-back picnics or full-on weddings. Masters of growing the classic Italian grape Glera, in Australia’s King Valley, the team at Brown Brothers have worked out how to … Read More
Mount Four The Patriarch Martinborough Pinot Noir 2024
12 December 2025Mount Four The Patriarch Martinborough Pinot Noir 2024 $35 Martinborough Pinot Noir has its own signature. Intensely floral yet deeply earthy and finishing with a creamy, savoury finish, it’s the liquid lovechild of Marlborough-based, French winemaker Marie Navailles. Scented with smoked cherry, soft rhubarb and dried bouquet garni, her wine rolls out fresh, slippery, soothing … Read More
Mount Four Brookby Marlborough Pinot Gris 2025
12 December 2025Mount Four Brookby Marlborough Pinot Gris 2025 $28 Crafted by French winemaker Marie Navailles, this Pinot Gris sails down the dry side of street and I am here for it! Scented with petanque pit minerality, freshly snapped apple core, green walnut, nashi notes, persimmon and white pepper; the mid-palate reveals soft pear and a touch … 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.
