NZ Wine Podcast - New Zealand Wine Stories
Episodes
E106 Nicholas Paris MW - Monte Christo Winery
03 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Nicholas Paris MW, and Managing Director of his family's Monte Christo Winery in Central Otago, reflects on his journey through the wine world, the vi...
E105 Mo Koski - Apéro Restaurant
22 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Ismo Koski - co-owner of Apéro on Karangahape Road with his partner Leslie Hottiaux, the chef behind the kitchen - joins the podcast to talk wine, fo...
E104 Jonathan Thévenard - Pici Restaurant
15 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Jonathan Thévenard, owner of Pici on Karangahape Road in Auckland, joins the podcast to talk food, wine, and the joy of keeping things simple and hon...
E103 Matt Gosset Atelier Restaurant
09 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Matt Gossett, owner of Atelier on Karangahape Road and several other hospitality ventures around Auckland, joins the podcast to talk wine, food, and t...
E102 John Belsham - Foxes Island Wines
22 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
John Belsham, founder of Foxes Island Wines, is a pioneer of New Zealand winemaking with a career spanning more than four decades. Having established ...
E101 Jenna Sisson - The Hour Glass
05 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jenna Sisson, owner of The Hour Glass wine bar in New Plymouth, was recently named among the Top 100 Sommeliers New Zealand. Her welcoming venue celeb...
E100 Top 100 Sommeliers New Zealand
14 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Our 100th episode is perfectly timed to be about the launch of the Top 100 Sommeliers New Zealand list!Cameron Douglas MS and Angeline Bayly, founder ...
E99 Wilco Lam - Oraterra
06 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Wilco Lam, winemaker at Oraterra, has spent most of his career in Martinborough, including many years at the renowned Dry River. He shares his journey...
E98 Paul Dunleavy - Te Motu Vineyard
19 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We sit down with Paul Dunleavy of Te Motu and Dunleavy Wines on Waiheke Island. Recorded on site in October 2024, Paul reflects on his role as one of ...
E97 Vanessa Reynolds - Tūāpae Vineyard
28 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Vanessa and Luke’s journey into vineyard ownership began with a desire to weave their lives more closely with the land. On Waiheke Island, they foun...
E96 Merrick Watts - Wine Comedian
11 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Merrick Watts is a qualified wine specialist and comedian who is in New Zealand for the International Comedy Festival.His show An Idiots Guide to Wine...
E95 Warren Gibson - Trinity Hill
02 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Warren Gibson, Chief Winemaker at Trinity Hill, has built a distinguished career crafting world-class wines in Hawke’s Bay and beyond. With extensiv...
E94 Josh Lee - Huia Estate
19 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Originally from Brighton in the UK, Josh at first hadn't considered working in wine, now the new winemaker at Huia, he brings a wealth of experience f...
E93 2024 Harvest Update Waipara
09 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This is the 4th episode of our 2024 Harvest series, where we dive into the insights and expectations of winemakers across New Zealand as they look int...
E92 2024 Harvest Update Martinborough
16 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This is the 3rd episode of our 2024 Harvest series, where we dive into the insights and expectations of winemakers across New Zealand as they look int...
E91 2024 Harvest Update Otago
26 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This is the 2nd episode of our 2024 Harvest series, where we dive into the insights and expectations of winemakers across New Zealand as they look int...
E90 2024 Harvest Update Marlborough
13 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the first episode of our 2024 series, where we dive into the insights and expectations of winemakers across New Zealand as they look into t...
E89 Anna Flowerday - Te Whare Ra Wines
24 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Anna & Jason Flowerday have owned and run Te Whare Ra since 2003 taking it to new heights and winning many awards for their wines and their effort...
E88 Haysley MacDonald - te Pa Wines
15 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In 2003 Haysley and his family started a new adventure, converting their dairy and crop farm into vineyards and in 2011 te Pā was born. That spirit o...
E87 Nigel Elder - The Elder Pinot
05 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Nigel Elder is the visionary behind The Elder Pinot and his story moves through various vocations before landing in Martinborough where he worked alon...
E86 Lucie Lawrence - O'Naturel Wines
09 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Lucie studied and worked in her home country France before meeting her husband Brook and moving to New Zealand to help found Aurum Wines. O Naturel is...
E85 Koparepare Wines - Samantha White & Josh Barclay
17 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Kōparepare is produced and bottled by Whitehaven, and for every bottle sold a donation is made to LegaSea, helping to protect and restore New Ze...
E84 Tim Bourne - Escarpment Winery
25 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Tim Bourne is the Senior Winemaker at Escarpment Winery in Martinborough. From his first vintage in Marlborough to short stints in Central Otago and W...
E83 Larry McKenna - Escarpment Winery
19 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Widely regarded as the Prince of Pinot Noir in New Zealand, Larry has been in the wine industry for over 40 years which includes foundi...
E82 NZ Wine Podcast Caro Jensen - NZ Rose Day
02 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Caro first arrived in New Zealand from Germany to complete a thesis on NZ Wine and went on to work in the wine industry with boutique and larger winer...
E81 Gordon Russell - Esk Valley Wines
30 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Gordon was appointed as Esk Valley winemaker in 1993 however his life in NZ wine commenced even earlier in Auckland wineries.Gordon loves what he does...
E80 Sally Duncan - Laithwaites Wine
27 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we speak with Sally Duncan, Laithwaites' Wine NZ Country Manager and Chairperson of the Hawke's Bay Winegrowers Association.www.laithw...
E79 Lawrence Francis - Interpreting Wine
22 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Lawrence is the Founder and Host of the Interpreting Wine podcast and helps wine brands connect with their dream customers more effectively and effici...
E78 Lauren Swift - Swift Wines
26 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Lauren won the inaugural New Zealand Young Winemaker of the Year competition in 2015 while working as Chief Winemaker at Ash Ridge and is now producin...
E77 Candice Chow - Raymond Chan Wine Reviews
18 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Born and raised in Hong Kong, Candice has a strong passion for fine food and wine with two decades of fine dining expertise. Having founded Candice Wi...
E76 Pete Turner - Winemaker
17 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Pete Turner has spent most of his winemaking career in the Auckland region and at the time of recording was the winemaker at The Hunting Lodge in Waim...
E75 Emma Lowe - Monowai Estate
03 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
New Zealand winemaker Emma Lowe & Chilean vineyard manager Marcelo Nunez travelled from Chile to the foothills of the Kaweka Ranges to establ...
E74 Michael Brajkovich, MW - Kumeu River Wines
05 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Michael Brajkovich, New Zealand’s first Master of Wine (MW), is a member of the Institute of Masters of Wine in London as well as a respected wine j...
E73 Paul Donaldson - Pegasus Bay
19 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Donaldson family have been immersed in the wine industry since the early 1970s and were pioneers of grape growing and wine making in Waipara, No...
E72 Nathan White - Ripe, The Wanaka Wine & Food Festival
15 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Sunday March 21, 2021 will see the inaugural Ripe, Wine & Food Festival in Wanaka. The founder and organiser Nathan White tells us how it came about a...
E71 Claire Allan - Huia Vineyards
26 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Claire spent her childhood in North Canterbury in the South Island, (Te Wai Pounamu) and after studying winemaking at Roseworthy in Adelaide, Australi...
E70 Harvest Update 2020 Auckland
05 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Winemakers from the Auckland region tell us how the year was leading up to the 2020 harvest and how the vintage is looking.Michael Brajkovich - Kumeu ...
E69 Harvest Update 2020 Marlborough
01 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Winemakers from Marlborough tell us how the year was leading up to the 2020 harvest and how the vintage is looking.James Bowskill - Framingham Wines ...
NZ Wine Podcast 68: Harvest Update 2020 Waipara, North Canterbury
22 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Winemakers from Waipara, North Canterbury tell us how the year was leading up to the 2020 harvest and how the vintage is looking.Paul Goodege - The Bo...
NZ Wine Podcast 67: Harvest Update 2020 Central Otago
25 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Winemakers from Central Otago give us their insights into the 2020 harvest in what's shaping up to be an exciting vintage.Dave Sutton - Te Kano Estate...
NZ Wine Podcast 66: Catherine Keith - Mount Brown Estates
08 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Catherine stumbled on a tiny abandoned vineyard in the foothills of Mount Brown, in the Waipara Valley, North Canterbury. Waist-high in weeds, it p...
NZ Wine Podcast 65: Philippa Fourbet - Domaine Rewa
12 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Renaming the vineyard Domaine Rewa to honour her Granny, Philippa Fourbet took a leap of faith and purchased, sight unseen, the 5.5-hectare vineyard i...
NZ Wine Podcast 64: UPDATE David Nash - A Seat at the Table
05 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
An exciting update from David Nash on his NZ Wine film "A Seat at the Table". We catch up with David a year on from our first chat and found out how t...
NZ Wine Podcast 63: Greg Hay - Wet Jacket Wines
24 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Having started one of the first wineries in the region - Chard Farm, with his brother Rob Hay and then being instrumental in the development of the Pe...
NZ Wine Podcast 62: Renan Theilloux - RT Wines
10 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Born and raised in Bordeaux, Renan Theilloux graduated from Toulouse University as a winemaker in 2009 and for the next few years travelled the globe ...
NZ Wine Podcast 61: Wendy Stuckey - Spy Valley Wines
24 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Wendy is an internationally acclaimed winemaker and is the Chief Winemaker at Spy Valley Wines in Marlborough.www.spyvalleywine.co.nzwww.nzwinepodcast...
NZ Wine Podcast 60: Misha Wilkinson - Misha's Vineyard
18 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Misha Wilkinson is the Director (Marketing) of Misha's Vineyard in the Central Otago Region of New Zealand. She and her husband Andy returned from Asi...
NZ Wine Podcast 59: Dave Sutton - Te Kano Estate
11 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Dave Sutton is Winemaker and GM at Te Kano Estate in Central Otago. As a relatively new winery, Te Kano is rapidly carving a niche for itself in the N...
NZ Wine Podcast 58: Christopher Keys - Gibbston Valley Winery
28 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
It's a wide ranging and diverse conversation from Russian literature and life lessons to English cricket with some Hawkes Bay and Oregon influences. C...
NZ Wine Podcast 57: Malcolm Rees-Francis - Rockburn Wines
21 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Malcolm Rees-Francis is the Winemaker at Rockburn Wines in the Central Otago. We chat about being born into a South Canterbury sheep-farming family an...
NZ Wine Podcast 56: Renee Dale - Moi Wines
02 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Renee talks about making wine in the Auckland region of New Zealand, the Moi brand and her wine journey so far..... and Cleopatra. https://moiwines.co...
NZ Wine Podcast 55: Three Miners Vineyard
09 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Boris talks with Kirstin & Paul Wright, who came to Three Miners Vineyard in 1984 without wine making experience and have since ad...
NZ Wine Podcast 54: Lee Winston - Untitled
18 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Lee Winston is an Auckland based winemaker and founder of the Untitled brand. Red, white and rose blends are in the portfolio sourced from a variety o...
NZ Wine Podcast 53: Joelle Thomson - Wine Writer
10 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Joelle Thomson is a journalist, wine writer and author, who was bitten by the big buttery Chardonnay bug at Aro Street Café in Wellington, New Zealan...
NZ Wine Podcast 52: Nick Mills - Rippon Vineyard
12 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
It was Nick’s father Rolfe Mills who began experimenting with grapes with the family having now been on the remarkable Wanaka property for 5 genera...
NZ Wine Podcast 51: Mike Hutcheson
27 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Working in & founding a number of businesses including Advertising and Media Mike eventually found himself owing land on Waiheke Island in the Hau...
NZ Wine Podcast 50: Craig Gasson - Lamont Wines
21 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In his teens Craig decided that wine may be a more interesting option to drink than lager and we talk with him about his journey starting in Central O...
NZ Wine Podcast 49: David Nash - ‘A Seat at the Table'
11 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
David Nash is the writer, producer and co-director of the upcoming feature length documentary about the NZ Wine industry and its place in the world of...
NZ Wine Podcast 48: Suzanne Kendrick - Wine-Searcher.com
27 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In the last year 34 million people have made more than 212 million searches to find, compare or make purchases using Wine-Searcher's website and apps....
NZ Wine Podcast 47: Tom Trolove - Framingham Wines, Marlborough
20 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
We chat with Tom who is the Managing Director for Framingham Wines about why and how he came to be at Framingham, the history of the label and what’...
NZ Wine Podcast 46: Alissa Miller - Greystone Wines, North Canterbury
13 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
As Market Development Manager at Greystone Wines, Alissa combines her studies in Viticulture, Enology and Communications with her experience in winema...
NZ Wine Podcast 45: Guy Porter - Bellbird Spring Wines, North Canterbury
06 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Guy’s passion for wine started when working for vineyards in Australia which lead to an oenology degree at Roseworthy College, University of Adela...
NZ WIne Podcast 44: Ngarita Warden - Black Ridge Vineyard
16 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Experienced in both the wine making and business side of the wine industry, Ngarita Warden is now the business manager, looking after export, trade sa...
NZ Wine Podcast 43: Matt Connell Wines
25 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Matt Connell Wines are a highly respected brand produced in Central Otago NZ. Other wine producers in the region also benefit from Matt's passion and ...
NZ Wine Podcast 42: Paul Simmons - Manifesto Wines
09 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Paul has worked in hospitality both in New Zealand and overseas for a number of years before taking on Manifesto Wine, an importer of Italian wine int...
NZ Wine Podcast 41: Claire Mulholland - Burn Cottage GM & Winemaker
02 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Claire joined the Burn Cottage team in 2010. She is widely respected for her years of experience as head winemaker at Martinborough Vineyards & at...
NZ Wine Podcast 40: Stephanie Guth - Sommelier of the Year 2017
19 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
We have a chat with New Zealand Sommelier of the year 2017 Stephanie Guth about where her wine journey started back in Toronto, Canada to being here i...
NZ Wine Podcast 39: Rhone - Part 2
12 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we explore some of the introductory characteristics of the Rhone Valley region of France with Jean-Christophe Poizat & Marc Taddei...
NZ Wine Podcast 38: Rhone Part 1
05 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we explore some of the introductory characteristics of the Rhone Valley region of France with Jean-Christophe Poizat & Marc Taddei...
NZ Wine Podcast 37: Archangel Wines
29 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
A story of hope, love and survival. In this episode mother and son duo Mary and Zenek share the history behind Archangel wines, achievements so far, a...
NZ Wine Podcast 36: Daniel Kemp - Great Little Vineyards
20 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
We chat to Manutuke born Daniel Kemp, as he shares his experience from being around contract grape growing in his childhood, to becoming a restaurateu...
NZ Wine Podcast 35: Crawford Brown - Bannock Brae Estate
07 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we're on-site in the sub region of Bannockburn, Central Otago having a chat with Crawford Brown about his experience from being a beer...
NZ Wine Podcast 34: Anna Robbie - Mount Michael Wines
04 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
From taking over her father's wine solutions business in 2013 to then acquiring Mount Michael wines in 2015, Anna Robbie shares her unplanned and unex...
NZ Wine Podcast 33: Chris Archer - Joiy. Part 2
31 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat with Chris Archer, as he shared his new innovative wine Joiy and the insight he has gained over 25 years of being in the wine ...
NZ Wine Podcast 32: Chris Archer - Joiy. Part 1
27 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat with Chris Archer, as he shared his new innovative wine Joiy and the insight he has gained over 25 years of being in the wine ...
NZ Wine Podcast 31: Andrew Donaldson - Akitu Wines
23 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Andrew Donaldson has always called Central Otago his home, so when he had the opportunity to develop a stunning Central Otago site into a top tier pr...
NZ Wine Podcast 30: Lucie Lawrence - Aurum Wines, Cental Otago NZ
17 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
French born Lucie Lawrence worked in vintages in Burgundy & Alsace before meeting husband Brook in France & becoming the principal winemaker a...
NZ Wine Podcast 29: Paul Pujol - Prophet's Rock, Central Otago
11 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Having started out in New Zealand Paul journeyed overseas working in a number of regions including Burgundy and Oregon before eventually finding his w...
NZ Wine Podcast 28: Douglas Renall - 100 Great New Zealand Wineries
04 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Raised around horticulture Douglas has worked in some notable wineries both in New Zealand and Europe and while completing a Bachelor of Wine Science ...
NZ Wine Podcast 27: Heron's Flight Winery, Matakana - Part 2
15 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Heron's Flight is one of only a few vineyards in New Zealand to specialise in the Italian varieties Sangiovese and Dolcetto. In this episode we chat w...
NZ Wine Podcast 26: Heron's Flight Winery, Matakana - Part 1
17 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Heron's Flight is one of only a few vineyards in New Zealand to specialise in the Italian varieties Sangiovese and Dolcetto. In this episode we chat w...
NZ Wine Podcast 25: Grant Taylor - Valli Vineyards, Queenstown
26 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
There was a time when wine and Central Otago were not synonymous and in this episode we talk with one of the early wine making pioneers. Grant Taylor ...
NZ Wine Podcast 24: Vic Tutton - The Bone Line
21 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
With a connection in geology reaching back to both an ancient age and a more recent era, The Bone Line in the Waipara Valley, North Canterbury, produc...
NZ Wine Podcast 23: Gillman Vineyard - Matakana, NZ
24 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
After falling in love with the idea of winemaking, Toby Gillman worked at premier grand cru Chateau Angelus in Bordeaux (where he became known as L'es...
NZ Wine Podcast 22: Jan Kux - Winemaker O:TU Wine, Marlborough
03 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Jan Kux had his introduction to wine while being a young tour guide in Europe where he then went on to study and later learn from some of the masters....
NZ Wine Podcast 21: Beaujolais
05 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This introductory session has us exploring the often overlooked Beaujolais region, and discovering what makes many wine enthusiasts obsess about these...
NZ Wine Podcast 20: Grasshopper Rock - Central Otago
29 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Grasshopper Rock is one of the world's southern most vineyards, established in 2003 and dedicated exclusively to Pinot Noir. Previously a rural banker...
NZ Wine Podcast 19: Providence Wines - Matakana
22 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
We travel 67 km north of Auckland to Matakana to visit with James Vuletic and his daughter Kristina. Growing up on vineyard in Auckland, James has alw...
NZ Wine Podcast 18: John Hancock Part 2
15 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
John is Founding Winemaker and an owner of Trinity Hill with more than 35 years of experience in New Zealand, Australia and France and is the founding...
NZ Wine Podcast 17: John Hancock Part 1
08 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
John is Founding Winemaker and an owner of Trinity Hill with more than 35 years of experience in New Zealand, Australia and France and is the founding...
NZ Wine Podcast 16: France - Burgundy Part 3
01 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
It's hard to have a conversation about wine without reference to France, so Jean-Christophe Poizat and Marc Taddei take us on a quick journey th...
NZ Wine Podcast 15: France - Burgundy Part 2
24 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
It's hard to have a conversation about wine without reference to France, so Jean-Christophe Poizat and Marc Taddei take us on a quick journey th...
NZ Wine Podcast 14: France - Burgundy Part 1
17 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
It's hard to have a conversation about wine without reference to France, so Jean-Christophe Poizat and Marc Taddei take us on a quick journey th...
NZ Wine Podcast 13: Sir Graeme Avery - Sileni Estates Part 2
10 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
We explore what successful businesses, sports people and wineries have in common with Sir Graeme Avery from Sileni Estates. With over 50 years of inte...
NZ Wine Podcast 12: Sir Graeme Avery - Sileni Estates Part 1
03 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
We explore what successful businesses, sports people and wineries have in common with Sir Graeme Avery from Sileni Estates. With over 50 years of inte...
NZ Wine Podcast 11: Author Mark Sweet
27 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Wine: Stories from the Hawkes Bay is Mark Sweet's account of the romance, pioneering, triumph and tragedy of the early years of wine making in the Haw...
NZ Wine Podcast 10: Judy Fowler - Owner & Winemaker, Puriri Hills
20 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
From Virginia to Clevedon New Zealand, Judy Fowler has travelled some distance in her life to be now making exceptional blended red wines. First plant...
NZ Wine Podcast 9: Cameron Douglas - Master Sommelier, Part 2
13 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Cameron Douglas is New Zealand’s first & only Master Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers worldwide, & South Pacific Director for t...
NZ Wine Podcast 8: Cameron Douglas - Master Sommelier, Part 1
06 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Cameron Douglas is NZ’s first & only Master Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers worldwide, & South Pacific Director for the Global...
NZ Wine Podcast 7: France Overview Part 2
27 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
It's hard to have a conversation about wine without reference to France, so Jean-Christophe Poizat and Marc Taddei take us on a quick journey th...