A fan of all things fermented….

A little bit about me

  • Married to Greg
  • Mother of Stella (22) and Jake (19)
  • Lives in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
  • Full-Time Independent Wine Writer & founding member of the Wine Writers of NZ group.
  • Chief Tasting Officer of WineFriend
  • Host and Producer of the wine tv show “Thirsty Work
  • Wine and beverages editor for dish Magazine
  • Wine columnist for CANVAS in the Weekend NZ Herald
  • Yvonne was a regular contributor to the  wine segment on Afternoons with Jesse Mulligan on Radio New Zealand National and TV3’s  AMShow
  • Senior Wine Competition Judge (Easter Show Wine Competition, NZ International Wine Show, Hawke’s Bay Regional Wine Awards, Gisborne Regional Wine Awards)
  • Yvonne is an accomplished MC and regularly hosts charity auctions, events & specialist tastings along with being a speaker for various groups and society meetings – to book me visit https://www.celebrityspeakers.co.nz/yvonne-lorkin/
  • Author of children’s book “The Really Sticky Grubby Lolly” (Raupo NZ) read review here
  • Yvonne graduated with top honours from the world-renown Wine Marketing Diploma Programme at Adelaide University (formerly known as Roseworthy College). This involved four years of intensive study with the course being split evenly between grape growing, winemaking, winery operations, international business, marketing & management. Yvonne is also the co-founder and Chief Tasting Officer of WineFriend, the coolest and most incredible new wine subscription business this side of the Waihopai River. …
  • In her past lives, Yvonne has also successfully helped launch and reinvigorate wine brands by writing creative press releases and copy, advising on PR strategy, branding, labelling, and artwork.
  • Yvonne regularly hosts wine education workshops and tastings for private groups, such as corporate clients wishing to treat their staff to something a little different.
  • Back in 2003 she also launched the famous Hastings City Wine Club, the only wine club based within a supermarket in this part of the world. The Hastings City Wine Club membership quickly rose to around 3000 members.