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From experiential marketing to bright whites, 2025 is set to see trends prioritising wellness, innovation and sustainability, according to a report by AF&CO.
As we look ahead to wine in 2025, the industry is undergoing a transformation driven by shifting consumer preferences, climate challenges, and generational tastes. From low-alcohol wines to experiential offerings, here are the trends that will define the year ahead, based on insights from the AF&CO + Carbonate Trends Report 2025.
Chenin Blanc leads the charge in bright whites
White wines are poised for continued growth in 2025, outpacing reds globally. Beyond mainstays like Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio, under-the-radar varieties are gaining attention. Chenin Blanc is emerging as a standout, combining the crispness of Sauvignon Blanc with Chardonnay’s complexity, making it both versatile and age-worthy.
In the Loire Valley, where Chenin Blanc thrives, producers predict its plantings will surpass Sauvignon Blanc, thanks to its resilience in a warming climate. Bourgueil, traditionally a red wine appellation, has begun lobbying for a high-quality designation for its Chenin Blanc wines, signalling the grape’s resurgence. Across the Atlantic, California winemakers and Washington’s Chateau Ste. Michelle are spearheading a revival of Chenin Blanc in the United States, further broadening its appeal.
Innovative whites such as White Malbec from Argentina and White Pinot Noir from Oregon are also reshaping the category, offering fresh, unexpected options for adventurous drinkers.
Low-alcohol wines for wellness-conscious consumers
Health and wellness trends continue to influence the wine industry, with low-alcohol wines gaining momentum. Brands such as Duckhorn, Kendall Jackson, and Kim Crawford have introduced reduced-alcohol ranges to appeal to health-conscious consumers seeking moderation without sacrificing flavour.
Similarly, Chilean wine brand Casillero del Diablo, owned by Concha y Toro, has launched its first alcohol-free wine in the UK market with the introduction of a de-alcoholised sparkling wine.
The trend aligns with the broader movement towards mindful drinking, as consumers increasingly look for wines that complement their lifestyles.
Alternative formats and sweet wines
Cans, magnums, and other packaging formats are resonating with younger consumers prioritising convenience and sustainability. Additionally, sweeter wines with lower alcohol are successfully drawing in new drinkers. Inspired by global flavour trends, these approachable wines tap into the popularity of sweet and spicy combinations, broadening wine’s appeal to diverse audiences.
Experience-driven consumption
Wineries are moving beyond traditional tastings to create immersive, memorable experiences. Younger generations, particularly Gen Z and Millennials, are drawn to events where wine is part of a larger narrative. From art installations to retro-inspired social hours, wineries like Bella Union in Napa Valley are aiming to engage younger consumers through unique on site tasting spaces, and features like outdoors after hours bars.
Sustainability and adaptation
Sustainability remains a critical focus as climate change impacts vineyard management and consumer priorities. The shift towards resilient grape varieties, such as Chenin Blanc, reflects efforts to adapt to changing growing conditions. At the same time, eco-friendly packaging and practices are increasingly integral to marketing strategies aimed at environmentally conscious consumers.
Sales of New Zealand wine have increased in the US – “a bright spot in an otherwise declining import sector”, the New Zealand Winegrowers industry body says.
The increase, for 2024, marks the sixteenth year in a row that retail sales of New Zealand wines within the US have gone up, the new report from alcohol sales analysts Impact Databank. And it comes on the heels of threats from US president Donald Trump to impose a 200 percent tariff on alcohol imported from European Union countries, amid unfolding international trade tensions.
New Zealand Winegrowers director Fabian Yukich told Morning Report it was promising news, amidst otherwise challenging conditions.
“That publication goes out to a lot of people who make decisions about buying New Zealand wine, so it’s pretty important … that we’re getting all this good news from the US right now, where things are otherwise a bit gloomy in other parts of the industry … people see it and they say, well we better order some more New Zealand wine,” Yukich said.
New Zealand is particularly known for the “flavours and aromas” of our sauvignon blank, he said.
“If you look at it from a global perspective, we are less than 2 percent of the world’s production – the trend at the moment is moving away from red wines and towards white wines, and it’s moving towards those more aromatic fresh white wines, so the trend is all in New Zealand’s favour.”
“So the wine’s that we make they are also very sustainably made, and we do take a lot of time to promote that around the world, and that is also in our favour because people do like to buy wines that are sustainably produced.”
Yukich said despite retail sales in the US increasing, retailers were being slow to restock New Zealand wine on their shelves, “and we are feeling that a little bit in New Zealand.”
“They’re unstocking – so that means less sales in the short term … less imports from New Zealand at the moment … but the outlook in the long term is good. Just about every other country’s sales at retail level are reducing, and wine in general is reducing – against that backdrop New Zealand wine is increasing … the long term picture is good.”
Picking has just begun for this season’s sauvignon blanc, but in the face of declining consumption in New Zealand and international, some growers in Marlborough have recently been advised to leave some of their crop unpicked.
“In the last three years we’ve had three massive crops, that Mother Nature has delivered – and this year’s no different to 2022 and 2023, where the vines are delivering a lot of grapes,” Yukich said.
“And the wine companies are saying ‘well look, we need to temper that against what is actually being exported out of the country’.
“It’s not great news for our growers… but the long term outlook is good.”
Whitehaven Senior Winemaker Diana Katardzhieva has been named “Best Woman Winemaker” for still white wines at the 2025 Sakura Women’s Wine Awards.
Both the 2024 Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc and 2023 Chardonnay were also awarded the top accolade of Diamond Trophy.
Now in its 12th year, the event attracted 3,969 entries from 36 countries and was judged by 430 female wine judges (280 in Tokyo and 150 in Osaka).
Katardzhieva is one of nine female winemakers to receive the award, and one of only two New Zealand female winemakers to make the list.
Diana, who has been at Whitehaven for over 20 years, says the recognition is “proof that years of tasting, tweaking, and the occasional barrel pep talk can pay off.”
She goes on to credit women in general and her wider team, saying “[the award is a] wonderful reminder of the amazing things women are accomplishing in the wine industry.
“Great wine is a team effort, and I see the award as recognition not only of myself, but of the fruit quality from our vineyards and growers, and the effort of the Whitehaven team.
“The fact this wine is judged by a talented group of women, makes this even more special… Especially since we all know women are usually the ones choosing the wine anyway!”
Gisborne winemaker Geoff Wright has been forced to cancel this year’s grape harvest after breaking his leg in a motorcycle accident.
Wright, who owns Wrights Vineyard and Winery with wife Nicola, was set to begin picking their organically grown grapes at Ormond and Manutūkē — usually one of the first harvests in the district. But an accident on his Ormond property last Thursday left him with multiple fractures in his right leg. “I’m currently in Gisborne Hospital, waiting for surgery,” he said. He has been advised he won’t be able to drive or operate machinery for the next two to three months, ruling him out of running for this year’s vintage.
Nicola Wright shared the news on social media. “It’s been a heartbreaking turn of events for what would have been Geoff’s 25th harvest — a real milestone,” she said. “But for now, our focus is on Geoff’s recovery.”
With just the two of them running the winery, the couple has decided to sell their organic grapes to other producers.
She says their grapes grow on flat vineyards and can easily be harvested by machine, with vines low yielding with high quality in mind.
Interested wineries are invited to get in touch via email.
Geoff Wright thanked everyone for their support. “I’m feeling the love. It’s feeling a bit like a sabbatical at present — just without the paid leave.”
By Byron Kaye and Sherin Sunny, Reuters | February 13, 2025
Bottles of Penfolds wine are on sale at a wine shop in central Sydney August 4, 2014. REUTERS/David Gray/File Photo
Penfolds wine producer Treasury Wine Estates (TWE.AX), opens new tab pulled the sale of its cheap drinks division after failing to find an attractive offer and cut its prediction for annual profit, sending its shares tumbling.
The division’s weak results and outlook soured an otherwise upbeat first-half result for Australia-listed Treasury as exports to China roared back to life after the end to three years of crippling tariffs imposed by Beijing.
Treasury had planned to offload budget labels including Wolf Bass and Lindeman’s last year amid a global trend of young drinkers turning away from alcohol. But “the offers received for these brands did not represent compelling value and therefore their retention is the best course”, it said on Thursday. Net profit excluding one-off items jumped 33% to A$239.6 million ($150 million) in the six months to end-December, just short of the average analyst forecast from data aggregator Visible Alpha.
Bottles of Penfolds Grange wine and other varieties, made by Australian wine maker Penfolds and owned by Australia’s Treasury Wine Estates, sit on shelves for sale at a winery located in the Hunter Valley, north of Sydney, Australia, February 14, 2018. REUTERS/David Gray/File Photo
That owed much to the first full reporting period of exports to China since 2020 and the contribution of recently-bought U.S. winery business DAOU. But pre-tax profit from its “premium brands” unit, which includes its cheaper wine labels, halved, partly “reflecting softness in consumer demand for wine at lower price points”.
Citing reduced expectations for the unit, the company now expects pre-tax profit of about A$780 million for the financial year ending in June. That compares with an earlier estimate of A$780 million to A$810 million. Treasury shares lost 4% by midsession, having fallen as much as 8% at one point as analysts downgraded their forecasts in line with the new guidance. The overall market (.AXJO), opens new tab was flat.
“With the company deciding not to sell its commercial portfolio, (the premium brands business) might be a drag on group earnings for some time,” Citi said in a note.
UBS said the guidance downgrade was “disappointing but somewhat reflected in share price”. The stock is down 4% compared to a year ago while the broader market has gained 12%.
Treasury declared an interim dividend of 20 Australian cents per share, compared with 17 Australian cents last year.
It’s all very well making great Pinot, but what if nobody knows that is what you do?
On day three of the New Zealand Pinot Noir 2025 conference held in Christchurch, Wine-Searcher’s wine director David Allen took to the stage to talk everything data, particularly with respects to the grape’s worldwide reach and the supply and demand within key markets – and particularly how New Zealand Pinot was faring.
Using Wine-Searcher’s vast database of offers and price history broken down by both product, grape and region, Allen was able to extract where New Zealand Pinot Noir is now, with a direct comparison to where it stood eight years ago at the last New Zealand Pinot Noir conference in 2017.
However, before getting to the nitty gritty of New Zealand Pinot Noir, Allen produced some facts to give a general overview of where Wine-Searcher was in its global capture of wine and spirits data.
Today there are currently 14.7 million live offers for wines and spirits listed on Wine-Searcher – compared to the 6.7 million eight years ago. This is partly down to there simply being more products on the market; however, Allen noted, it is also down to Wine-Searcher’s greater ability to collect offers. Technology has simply gotten better.
Making up these 14.7 million offers are more than 850,000 products being listed by 37,500 merchants and auctions across 130 markets.
Every month, Wine-Searcher receives roughly 5 million unique users trawling the site for wine.
How many of those unique users are looking for Pinot Noir? Allen was happy to provide the answers.
In 2016, there were 12.8 million searches for Pinot Noir wines within 122 million wine searches worldwide – making up a total of 10.5 percent.
In 2024, there were 27.2 million searches for Pinot Noir within 176 million wine searches worldwide, accounting for 15.5 percent. A not insignificant increase, with the majority concentrated in the US.
When it comes to the number of offers for Pinot Noir listed on Wine-Searcher, the numbers tell more of the same story.
Back on 15 December 2016, there were 0.5 million offers for Pinot Noir Wine within the 5 million offers for wine worldwide, with tiny dark grape accounting for 9.5 percent of all offers.
Nine years later on 15 December 2024, there were 1.1 million offers for Pinot Noir wines within 10 million offers for wine worldwide, making up 11.5 percent.
Both sets of figures show an increase in both interest and offers for the grape variety, with it claiming an ever larger market share as the years rolled on by.
Conversely, during the same time frame, other grape varieties shuffled. Big red Bordeaux blends, for example, slipped from claiming 22.3 percent of searches back in 2016, to 17.4 percent in 2024.
Chardonnay, however, that other great Burgundian variety, claimed 6 percent of searches back in 2016, but snaffled 10.3 percent in 2024, reflecting the often commented-on rise of Burgundy while Bordeaux continues to flail.
However, regarding those 2024 search stats Pinot Noir may be on the rise, but it won’t be evenly across the globe, so where are its main fan clubs?
Well, as Allen presented, France – naturally – accounted for the majority of searches, claiming 22.5 percent, while Hong Kong came in at a close second with 21.4 percent. China sat at 20.8 percent, while the UK and New Zealand sat at 15.5 percent and 15.3 percent respectively, and the US and Australia claimed 13 percent each.
Please bear in mind, the above facts and figures are all still pertain to any Pinot Noir from anywhere in the world.
Back to NZ
Allen then switched his focus firmly to New Zealand and where its Pinot Noir stood in the global market. When it comes to the 2024 searches for New Zealand wines broken down by variety, 35 percent unsurprisingly went to Kiwi stalwart Sauvignon Blanc, while Pinot Noir came in at a close second with 32.4 percent.
However, Sauvignon Blanc has dropped off from its giddy 45 percent back in 2016, while Pinot Noir has risen, albeit marginally. Chardonnay, however, claiming 12.6 percent, has also seen a slow but steady rise.
When it comes to offers, however, the figures fall sharply out of sync. The 2024 figures show 45.1 percent offers for New Zealand wine are for its Sauvignon Blanc, with just 20.7 percent for Pinot Noir, and 9.4 percent for Chardonnay. While Sauvignon Blanc has seen its offers increase from 2016’s 39 percent, Pinot Noir has seen it fall from 24 percent – despite the increase in interest – while Chardonnay has flat-lined.
Where these offers have been made has also changed dramatically. Back in 2016, the USA had the most offers at 28.4 percent, with New Zealand second with 22.4 percent, while the UK claimed 16.6 percent and Australia 10.5 percent.
In 2024, these figures have seen a dramatic shift with the USA now offering a whopping 44 percent and New Zealand increasing slightly to 27.7 percent. However, both the UK and Australia had dropped to 6.1 percent and 6.5 percent respectively. This reflected a comment made by Stephen Wong MW who noted that UK restaurant lists were largely failing to feature New Zealand wines.
Overall, however, since 15 Dec 2016 when there were 83K offers for New Zealand wine, making up 1.6 percent of the 5 million offers for wine worldwide, there has – as of 15 Dec 2024 – been an increase to 175K offers of New Zealand wine within 10M offers for wine worldwide, claiming 1.8 percent, showing slow but steady growth.
As Allen noted, there were a few key takeaways – chiefly the rise of the Burgundian varietals, and how that places New Zealand in good stead. As well as the opportunity to target both the lower pricing tiers as well as the upper, where the big Napa giants lurk.
Finally, a message that has been drummed in over the course of the past three days by various speakers – but one worth listening to. The world is keen, ready and waiting but ever so slightly deaf, and New Zealand Pinot Noir just needs to raise its voice.
It’s that time again when we greet the new year with the world’s most wanted wines.
And kicking off this most anticipated series is that old French stalwart-cum-Kiwi icon, Sauvignon Blanc.
Fresh and vibrant with the capacity – if aged in oak or on lees – to be rich, textured and unctuous, although these expressions are rarer than their steelier counterparts.
This year’s list incorporates styles ranging from traditional Loire elegance to the New Zealand zingers that threw the Antipodean islands onto the world stage.
However, what’s interesting about this list is how virtually unchanged it is from last year’s with Louis-Benjamin – Didier Dagueneau’s Silex once more leading the pack.
Didier Dagueneau was himself a risk-taker and, after a career in motorcycle sidecar racing, he eventually brought his rebellious spirit to winemaking.
However, despite ruffling feathers up and down the Loire Valley, Dagueneau succeeded in revitalizing the region. After his fatal ultralight plane accident in 2008, Dagueneau’s children have continued his legacy, with the bottles now bearing his son Louis-Benjamin’s name.
Despite being the world’s most popular Sauvignon Blanc for a second year in a row, with an aggregated score of 93 points, the Silex has changed very little pricewise, dropping from last year’s $225 to this year’s $223, while ten years ago, it hovered around $115.
Number two is Marlborough‘s perennial Cloudy Bay, which took third place last year. Cloudy Bay was founded in 1985 by David Hohnen – who had already established Cape Mentelle Vineyards in Australia’s Margaret River – and successfully put New Zealand wine on the map.
With an aggregated score of 90 points, it’s clear since those heady days in the 80s, that Cloudy Bay has yet to fall out of fashion, while prices have remained remarkably benign. Last year, it was $33 and has dropped a dollar to this year’s $32. Ten years ago it was roughly $27, proving astonishingly stable despite the passing of a decade.
Third is the Pavillon Blanc du Château Margaux, which took second place last year. One of the Médoc‘s most illustrious estates, Château Margaux is best known for its classic red blends, however, their whites still clearly hit the mark.
With an aggregated score of 94 points, it currently sits at $318, a minor drop from last year’s $328, although a marked increase from the $181 of ten years ago.
Number four is another from Louis-Benjamin – Didier Dagueneau, this time the Pur Sang. The name is a direct translation of “purebred” – which often refers to thoroughbred horses – the label depicts the famous Lascaux cave painting of a horse.
The name suggests excellence, and this is reflected in the critic score of 93 points. It occupies the same spot as it did last year, and near enough the same price, coming in at $146 versus last year’s $145, having crawled up from the $87 of a decade ago.
Number five was also on last year’s list in the exact same place, the Edmond Vatan Sancerre Clos la Neore. A small producer, Edmond Vatan is one of the most lauded producers in the Loire Valley, having built a reputation for making Sancerre that can age for decades.
However, with an aggregated score of 93 points, it also comes at a cost. A price tag of $367 makes it the second most expensive Savvy on this list, however, it’s still a marked come down from last year’s $455. Ten years ago, it sat at $101.
Six is the only American to make this list and the most expensive by several country miles. Last year it flew in at number seven, this year it’s clambered up a slot, absolutely no prizes for guessing what, it’s Screaming Eagle.
The luxury Californian winery based in Napa’s Oakville was first established in 1986 by former real estate agent Jean Phillips, who initially sold fruit to other Napa producers. However, after building a winery, 1992 saw the release of the first vintage of Screaming Eagle to rapturous praise – particularly from Robert Parker – firmly establishing cult status.
However, despite a 93 points critic score and the perennial waiting list, prices have dropped. Ten years ago, the wine stood at $3820 and last year it came in at $3955, however, this year it’s dropped to $3398 proving even the great eagle can’t escape a cost-of-living crisis.
Number seven is a Sancerre by Domaine Vacheron which didn’t feature on last year’s list. Another leading family-owned Loire producer, the estate is biodynamically run by third winemaking generation cousins, Jean-Laurent and Jean-Dominique.
Ten years ago, it came in at $24, today – with an aggregated critic score of 90 points – it rocks in at a still modest $38.
Eight is another Kiwi offering, the Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc, which has slid two places from last year’s list. The Marlborough winery is owned by Kevin Judd, whose previous stint as a winemaker for Cloudy Bay saw him rise to prominence. As well as an excellent winemaker, Judd is also an impressive vineyard photographer.
The wine itself has an aggregated critic score of 91 points, while its price has been resolutely consistent. Ten years ago it was $20, last year it was $23, while this year it’s dropped a dollar to $22.
Number nine is a final entry from Louis-Benjamin – Didier Dagueneau with their ‘Blanc etc.’ / ‘Blanc Fume de Pouilly’. The name somewhat convoluted by the wine previously being called ‘Blanc Fume de Pouilly’ until it was later renamed ‘Blanc etc.’
Having dropped one place from last year’s list, Blanc.etc has still retained an impressive score of 90 points, however, the price has seen various shifts. Ten years ago, the wine came in at $60, last year it was $97 and this year, it’s crept up to $104.
Lastly in this year’s most wanted Savvy B, is the Francois Cotat Sancerre Les Monts Damnés occupying the exact same spot as it did last year. Francois Cotat is known for producing a traditional style of Sancerre from its esteemed Monts Damnés vineyard. Today, the estate is run by cousins Pascal and Francois Cotat who have followed in their fathers’ – the original founders – footsteps.
With an aggregated score of 92 points, this sophisticated sav has remained fairly consistent pricewise. Ten years ago, it hovered around $44, and the in the last two years, the price has remained at a steady $80.
When it comes to the world’s most sought-after Sauvignon, there’s not just one thing people are looking for. Some people are searching for French, others Kiwi. Some are searching for bargains, others the most expensive wines they can think of. From traditional to tongue-tingling modern styles, Savvy B really does offer it all.
Move over France … there’s a new kid on the European wine-making block and it might just be a little too close for comfort, writes Fiona Whitty, & explore the Wine Garden of England.
Believe it or not the United Kingdom is emerging as an exciting force in the wine-making industry, producing bottles that even the fussy French sometimes prefer.
In a now-notorious taste test among Parisien restaurateurs three English sparkling wines were pitted against three elite Champagnes. The English challengers came out on top.
And last year the UK’s biggest wine producer, Chapel Down, headed to France’s Champagne region under the guise of the literally translated Chapelle en Bas to put their own fizz against a top local brand. The result? A staggering 60% preferred the English version.
Now in a further nod to the quality of English sparkling, French Champagne giant Taittinger has hopped across the Channel and snapped up land near London – recently producing their first-ever non-French fizz.
There are some 700 vineyards dotted around England and Wales, blossoming thanks to warmer weather and, in some areas, chalky soil similar to that in the Champagne region.
And the county of Kent, southeast of London and where Domaine Evremond is based, is arguably the perfect place to start a wine discovery. It has more vineyards than anywhere else and garners a fantastic reputation, particularly for its sparkling.
Kent is dubbed the Garden of England thanks to its fantastic fruit growing. But viticulture fans could start by diving into the Wine Garden of England, a small band of esteemed vineyards that offer great experiences and fun events – and sometimes even top-class restaurants and accommodation.
We’ve etched out an itinerary below. As public transport in rural areas can be limited, hiring a car is best once you’ve caught a 55-minute train from London to Canterbury in the heart of Kent wine country. Companies generally offer automatics as well as manuals.
So, with the autumn harvest well under way, designate your driver and start popping open those Kent corks.
DAY ONE
Once off the train, get a feel for beautiful Canterbury. Its magnificent cathedral and city walls are testament to its 1400-year-old history.
For your first tasting, swing by Corkk, a shop and wine bar where two-thirds of its stock is home-produced, much of it from Kent.
Enjoy a tutored wine flight, a glass of a wine of the week or a sample from its vending machine-style wine taster, which allows you to buy small measures from 10 different wines.
Staff will be delighted to guide you … they’re experts at Britain’s best specialist retailer, as nominated by viticulture bible Decanter.
Afterwards motor over to Simpsons Wine Estate for a vineyard tour followed by a tutored tasting.
It’s run by Ruth and Charles Simpson, who had already built up an award-winning vineyard in France when they spotted England’s potential and started up in Kent 12 years ago. Their Derringstone Pinot Meunier is deliciously crisp and fresh.
For some shut-eye head to the Pig at Bridge Place. The Pigs, a small but perfectly formed band of hotels, have become a national institution, revered for their character, warm service, sustainability and support for local produce.
This one doesn’t disappoint, with quirky lounges, roaring fires, wood panels, roll-top baths and antique furniture. Late afternoon cake hour with help-yourself homemade cakes and tours of their extensive kitchen garden are additional treats.
You’ll see the latter’s fruits in much of the restaurant’s menus, mostly sourced within a 40km radius – like its roasted squash starter and lemon sole with foraged sea buckthorn.
Its drinks menu reflects the same ethos; its own Piggy Fizz was made in nearby Sussex and there are over 30 other English wines available, many from Kent.
DAY TWO
Take a leisurely weave across the rolling Kent Downs countryside to Balfour Winery.
In 2007, their Brut Rose was the first ever English wine to win an International Wine Challenge gold.
Their new Winemakers’ Kitchen restaurant features dishes designed to complement their different wines, rather than the other way round.
Try pan-seared scallops in estate cider sauce served with Balfour’s Skye’s Chardonnay, followed by slow-roasted beef short rib with Luke’s Pinot Noir.
Save a bit of room and head over to Chapel Down, the UK’s biggest producer, for a tour followed by a tutored wine and cheese pairing, where you may discover how a creamy extra mature cheddar suits the apple-freshness of the Kit’s Coty chardonnay.
In the shop, you can pick up a bottle of the Kit’s Coty Coeur de Cuvee 2016, recently named Supreme Champion – England’s best wine – at the WineGB awards.
Bed down at the Grape Escape, a cosy cottage based at another nearby vineyard, Biddenden – and watch the sunset over the vines from the wood-fired hot tub.
Kent’s chalky soil is similar to the Champagne region, making it ideal for producing sparkling wine.
DAY THREE
Stop off at the delightful Loddington Farm Shop – grab their Owlet juices made from fruit grown there – then enjoy lunch over at Bowleys at the Plough, a pub-cum-restaurant that dates to 1483.
Alongside a Kentish tasting menu try Bowleys’ own wine, made at the nearby Redhill Winery.
Afterwards, try one of the regular tastings at the Silverhand Estate, the UK’s largest organic vineyard where sheep graze between the vines to boost soil health and aid natural fertilisation and pest control.
For lights out try the Tickled Trout pub near Maidstone. Owned by Balfour Winery, the drinks menu includes several of its wines by the glass or bottle as well as tasting flights.
ON THE WAY BACK
Call in at Westwell, the Kent wine family’s quirky cousin. In autumn visitors can catch the odd supper club and – on most weeks – Pizza Fridays when a pizza van rolls up outside the fairy-light illuminated winery.
Don’t miss the Pinot Meunier Multi Vintage, a tongue-tingling fizz made without additives that recently bagged best innovative sparkling at the WineGB awards.
Make one last stop at the Tudor Peacock, a wine bar and shop in an old hall dating to the 14th century. Based in Chilham near the new Domaine Evremond winery, it offers samples of Kent’s finest plus talks and themed tastings in a stunning vaulted tasting room.
Elephant Hill, a Hawke’s Bay winery started by a German businessman in 2001, is up for sale, including its lodge, vineyards, winery and restaurant.
From Jack Riddell, a multimedia journalist with Hawke’s Bay Today
Another Te Awanga winery is up for sale – with two of the area’s three vineyards now on the market – as Elephant Hill’s owner says it’s time to move on.
All of Elephant Hill Holdings Limited Group is on the market, which includes the owner’s lodge overlooking Cape Kidnappers, vineyards in Te Awanga and Gimblett Gravels, the winery, the cellar door, the restaurant, all physical assets and stock, the brand and an established distribution network both nationally and abroad.
But what chief executive Andreas Weiss says is the most important aspect of the sale is the team. “We are a small, high-performance team. I think we have the best people in their respective places.
You can’t find anyone better in Hawke’s Bay, and I’m very proud of that.” Elephant Hill was founded by businessman Roger Weiss and his wife Reyden in 2001 after they “fell in love with New Zealand and a piece of land on the beautiful coast of Te Awanga”, which was at the time an abandoned venison farm. The winery was then opened in 2008.
“I think we were quite successful in building a brand with a very high reputation,” Andreas said.
“Everybody knows Elephant Hill because of the passion and of the investments that we did here.”
Roger died suddenly in 2016. Andreas, his son, had taken up the role of chief executive at the company a year earlier.
According to Andreas, the company is on the market because it is time for the family to move on.
“[My parents] created the dream; they created the vision of Elephant Hill. Since my father died, my mother, she comes over here more to cry than anything else because they built it together.”
Andreas said he hopes to find someone who shares the same vision and passion for wine and the land as his parents did. “It is, I think, breathtaking and mind-blowing sometimes. I mean, I am just looking out from my office looking at the Bay, and it’s just a beauty.”
Since then, the winery has closed and reopened its restaurant, and hosted marathons, mass dog walks, and countless wedding receptions and long lunches.
Elephant Hill is on the market at the same time as Te Awanga Estate’s coastal vineyard and cellar door/restaurant. Executive officer at Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers, Brent Limm, said the sales multiple of vineyards in the area is more of a coincidence than anything else.
“The Te Awanga area is an important subregion of Hawke’s Bay producing a wide range of high-quality wines with a distinctive sense of place.”
Elephant Hill and Te Awanga Estate’s neighbour Tim Turvey from Clearview Wines agrees, saying the subregion is still the most enviable area in Hawke’s Bay in which to grow wine, “especially chardonnay”, and the vineyards have the accolades to prove it.
At this year’s New Zealand International Wine Challenge, Clearview won a double gold for its Reserve Chardonnay 2021, while Te Awanga Estate’s won the trophy at London’s International Wine Competition for Best Red Wine of Show in 2015, and Elephant Hill’s 2019 Salome was awarded the highest score by respected UK-based Master of Wine Rebecca Gibb in her 2022 New Zealand white wine report.
The Albarino Brothers – Ant Saunders, Ollie Powrie and Shaye Bird – have launched their Gisborne 2024 Albarino wine. Photo / Richard Brimer
The Albarino Brothers launched their Gisborne 2024 Albarino wine at a function in the city yesterday.
Ollie Powrie, Shaye Bird and Ant Saunders are three friends connected through wine. They are not at all related.
The men conceived what they describe as a “passion project”, a wine using 100% Gisborne-grown Albarino grapes. The 2024 version is a historic first for the trio.
“We’re all passionate about the quality and potential of the wine,” they said. “It’s a crisp, refreshing and tangy dry white wine that has already been described as the ‘it’ wine for this coming summer.”
A wine industry spokesman said the Albarino grape variety had an affinity to Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay regions – sharing characteristics with the variety’s native home in northwestern Spain and Portugal.
“The slightly warmer nights are perfect to tame the natural high acidity of the variety, and having evolved in a marine climate, the grape is very resistant to humidity and rain coming in from the ocean.”
Powrie said: ”All said and done, this means that Gisborne was an ideal place from which to source a world-class wine.”
Gisborne grapegrowers Doug and Delwyn Bell played a role in the development of the Albarino variety in New Zealand more than a decade ago.
The Albarino Brothers launch was held at Gisborne Tatapouri Sports Fishing Club.
New Zealand Winegrowers congratulates Stuart Smith MP and Parliament on the passing of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Winery Cellar Door Tasting) Amendment Bill following its third reading. “These changes will make a difference”, says Philip Gregan, Chief Executive Officer of New Zealand Winegrowers. “The Bill brings legislation on winery cellar doors into the 21st Century. It recognises the contribution made by winery cellar doors to the tourism offering in New Zealand’s wine regions and enables wineries to charge for providing their tourism experience”.
Philip said “It is positive that the legislation will be in force ahead of the busy summer season, which was one of our requests to the Select Committee when hearing submissions on the Bill. We thank them for the timely consideration of the Private Members Bill.”
The changes allow winery cellar doors with an off-license to charge for providing samples of wine, which were previously only able to be given away for free, making it difficult for wineries to cover the costs of providing these experiences.
Philip said “During the submission process the Select Committee heard directly from our members that this change will help them to cover their costs and encourage other members to open new winery cellar doors that would otherwise have not been an economic proposition. We expect this change will create new jobs and new tourism experiences to encourage visitor growth”. Winery cellar doors will continue to observe host responsibility practices, including a maximum sample size of 35ml, meeting the new requirements to have snack food available for purchase and for water to be freely available.
“The robust consideration by the Select Committee and Parliament means these changes will have a positive and lasting impact on New Zealand’s regional wine tourism experiences. We welcome all visitors to one of the 250 plus winery cellar doors and wine tourism experiences throughout New Zealand.”
In Big Sur, California, an eccentric house has hit the market for a whopping $US3.265m (NZ$5.2m).
The Barrel House is an architect-designed property that does what it says on the tin – the house is built from two connected redwood wine barrels.
In their past lives, each of the two barrels would have held over 80,000 litres of wine. Today, it’s a bespoke residence designed by famed local architect Mickey Meunnig, dubbed “the man who built Big Sur”.
The house perches on Pfeiffer Point and it was designed by Mickey Meunnig, often called “the man who built Big Sur”.
The three-bedroom house is built on the side of a steep cliff and has superb views of the mountains and sea beyond.
Exposed redwood walls and ceilings give the interior a rich, rustic look that is amplified by the owner’s eclectic furniture.
The round living room boasts 180-degree views, with west-facing windows bringing in plenty of golden light in the afternoons.
One can only imagine how wonderful it smells when the sun warms the “barrels”.
There are plenty of windows to catch the light right through the day, and a woodburner for chilly winter evenings.
Up a curved timber staircase are two cosy bedrooms, each occupying a whole floor.
The home may look rustic, but it exudes an air of quiet luxury, with the bedrooms upstairs offering a quiet sanctuary.
The main bathroom comes with a generous tub big enough for two, overlooking the gardens and woodland.
There is also a wraparound deck, 2.02ha of grounds, and a bespoke one-bedroom guest house carved into the bluff. This is built from another reclaimed redwood wine barrel.
