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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 -
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 WineFriendCHECK OUT THE LATEST REVIEWS
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Tironui Above & Beyond Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2026
20 June 2026Tironui 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 2026Carrick 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 2026Carrick 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 2026Carrick 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 2026Two 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 2026Known 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 2026Nuala 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 2026Nuala 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 2026Nuala 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 2026Nuala 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 2026Nuala 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 2026Nuala 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
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.





