Here’s a summary of the July 2026 newsletter for The Cellar Club Inc:
Club Mid-Year Dinner
Event: Mid-Year Dinner at The Johnsonville Club, Vista Cafe, Wellington.
Date/Time: Arrive at 6:30pm for dinner at 7pm.
Details: B.Y.O. event—members are encouraged to bring wine from their own cellars. The club is subsidizing the buffet cost (members pay $55) and providing bubbles on arrival. The venue is local due to the current fuel crisis.
Transport: Public transport options (train and bus) are available nearby. There are 50 parking spaces after 5pm, but carpooling or public transport is encouraged.
Recent Event Recap
Margrain Vineyard Tasting: Hosted by Kate Throp, featuring several Margrain wines. The event was well-attended (29 members) and included discounted wine sales.
Wines Tasted: Margrain La Michelle Methode Traditionelle, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Rivers Edge Pinot, and Home Block Pinot.
Upcoming Events
Margrain Cellar Dwellers Tastings: Special tastings of aged wines in August and September. No bookings required; $25–$30 per person.
August: Riverby, Marlborough tasting.
September: Likely a focus on wines of Argentina.
October: J K Wines.
Club Updates
Bottle Tops Collection: The club has stopped collecting bottle tops; members are encouraged to use supermarket recycling. The last collection raised $132.60 for The Kidney Kids organisation.
Membership Subscriptions: Now due for the year starting July 1 ($25 per person). Payment can be made via bank transfer or in cash to Wayne Kennedy.
Here’s a summary of the June 2026 newsletter from The Cellar Club Inc.
June Event: Margrain Vineyard Presentation
Date & Time: Wednesday, 10th June, 8pm
Presenter: Kate Throp, Margrain’s Cellar Door/Sales/Marketing/Admin lead
About Margrain: A family-owned vineyard in Martinborough, established in 1992, known for its commitment to quality and a complete vineyard experience (tastings, tours, accommodation, and dining).
Wines Featured: La Michelle Methode Traditionelle, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Rivers Edge Pinot, Home Block Pinot.
Extras: Cellar Door open daily, kitchen open Wed–Sun, vineyard tours, and accommodation available.
Club Updates
May AGM Recap:
All committee members remain for another year.
Subscriptions stay at $25 for 2026/27.
Wayne Kennedy was unanimously made a Life Member.
Financial and President’s reports are on the club website.
Screwcaps Collection:
The club will stop collecting screwcaps after the AGM.
Members can bring any remaining screwcaps to the June meeting for donation to Kidney Kids NZ.
For recycling locations, visit recyclemap.co.nz.
Looking Ahead
July: Proposed Mid-Winter Dinner at The Johnsonville Club; members’ attendance feedback requested.
August: Margrain, Wairarapa event.
September: To be confirmed.
Wine News
Bell Hill (Canterbury) Named NZ Winery of the Year 2026 by The Real Review.
Recognized for consistency and excellence.
Other top wineries: Felton Road (runner-up), Prophet’s Rock, Quartz Reef, Bilancia.
Special awards for Cloudy Bay, Neudorf, Burn Cottage, Chateau Garage, Greywacke.
Rising Stars: Jascha Oldham-Selak and Sanne Witteveen.
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.
The French dinner, advertised to the Club by Murray, who couldn’t attend, was hosted by Mission wines. As a follow up the Mission evening in March, a few of us went along to enjoy Mission’s Jewelstone brand of premier wines, matched with each of the five courses.
We opened with a tasting of Blue Cheese Mousse, Caramelised Pear on Toasted Brioche, which was delightfully smooth in the mouth. This was paired with Mission’s Fete Brut Cuvee NV. We were looking forward to the next course!
The next course was Salmon, Sashimi, Soya Jelly, Ginger Syrup, Wakame Salad, Washabi Mayo & Sesame Seeds – a tribute to the chef’s days at the original Hummingbird restaurant in Courtenay Place, when this was a stable on the menu. This was paired with Mission’s Jewelstone Rosé 2023. The Rose was pinky gold in colour and was amazing with the dish.
Our third dish was Goat Cheese Cannelloni, Cramed Leek, Walnut Cream and Caramelised Walnut. Paired with Jewelstone Chardonnay 2022.
The mix in this course went down very well, with the caramelised walnuts a
really lovely addition to the smoothness of the rest of the meal.
It was a beautiful evening, with a starlit sky outside and as the air began to cool the braziers were lit. It all added such an atmosphere to the evening.
Next, we moved to the red of the evening, Jewstone Antione, Cabernet Sauvignon 2020. This wine is from their Gilmett Gravels vineyards, and is small-batch, barrel
fermented. It paired excellently with the Slow Cooked Beef Cheeks Bourguignon, Parsnip Puree, Roasted Baby Carrots. Rich, creamy and so tasty.
To round the evening off we were served Lemon Curd, Pannacotta, Braised Pineapple & Passion Fruit Coulis, paired with Mission Estate Late Harvest 2024.
Tammy from Mission came around during the meal to check how things were going at tables, as well as giving us commentary on the different wines were sampling and titillating us with the story behind the wines, such as the Jewelstone Antoine.
A plus, we were able to order Mission wines if we wished to, after the meal. It’s great Tammy is in Johnsonville, as she is delivering any orders received on the night.
Wednesday 13th August, 8 pm start
Door Price: Members $12 / Guests $15
Sustainably farmed, gently handcrafted
“We look after our land and soil, employing regenerative and organic farming principles and practices across both of our vineyards.
Sustainable, organic principles drive our farming processes, and in the winery, we let the fruit do all the talking.
Properties are at:
Blue Rock Venue/Vineyard – 284 Dry River Rd, Martinborough
Luna Estate Cellar Door & Eclipse Restaurant – 133 Puruatanga Rd, Martinborough
“We are proud growers and wine producers, turning all we grow into delicious produce using our own winery. This is truly what it means to be an Estate.
90% of winemaking happens on the land. Our careful practice in the cellar ensures that the unique character of our vineyards shines in your glass.
Skillfully grown fruit, minimal handling and patience are the three main ingredients in our wines. No animal products used.
Our people are our greatest asset. Call in to our cellar door and restaurant, visit our winery or vineyard, or chat to our admin team and you’ll find a diverse group of passionate individuals who love what they do. At different times of the year, you might find admin staff in the restaurant, winemakers in the Cellar door, or hospitality staff out in the vineyard.
Whatever needs doing, we’re there supporting each other to make sure that our guests enjoy the very best of what we have to offer.
We won’t lie, it’s a lot of hard work, but we make sure to find time for fun and enjoy regular team get-togethers. Supporting our employees to live rich and fulfilling lives outside of work is just as important, and we ensure our staff have a good balance between work and play.
Call in and see us one day – we’d love to see you”
Wednesday 10th September, 8 pm start
Door Price: Members $14 / Guests $18
Authentic wines with a unique aromatic expression, making award-winning wines since 2009. Ohau is a relatively new wine sub-region, situated to the south of Levin. Since their first harvest in 2009, they have been growing exceptional aromatic varietals and producing award-winning, authentic wines that reflect the unexpected, unique regional conditions.
Wines for the evening are:
2020 Not the Norm Rose – opening wine
2023 Ohau Gravels Pinot Gris
2021 Not the Norm Sauvignon Black
2012 Selected Vines Sauvignon Blanc
2024 Ohau Gravels Chardonnay
2024 Ohau Gravels Pinot Noir
2022 Not the Norm Te Tihi
This promises to be a special tasting with two interesting surprises for club members.
The first wine of special interest is the 2012 Selected Vines Sauvignon Blanc! No, that isn’t a typo. This wine has been made especially with aging in mind, and so it will be very interesting to compare it with the 2021 vintage that we will also be tasting.
The second wine of special interest will be our last, the 2022 Not the Norm Te Tihi. This is a fortified Pinot Noir and, at 20% alcohol, is probably more akin to a port. The tasting notes talk of an aroma that is a complex bouquet of dried fruit, fragrant toasted spices, hints of roasted almonds, and a subtle note of sweet toffee. I’m really looking forward to finding out if this really is Christmas cake in a glass.
Sustainable, restorative farming, letting the fruit do all the talking
What a fabulous evening for everyone who attended. With an entertaining presenter and wines made in the Alsatian style that were different, for our tasting pleasure.
While the wines were above our normal price range, people enjoyed the different wine styles and orders were healthy. This is encouraging to your committee. Their cost to members was offset by a generous discount and the waiving of the delivery fee. Thank you Luna Estate for your support and
great tasting.
A reminder of the wines we tried on the night:
Luna Brut Rose a delightful welcoming wine for the evening
Luna Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2023 a blend of two very different blocks from Bue Rock Vineyard
Luna Estate Pinot Gris 2023
Luna Estate Pinot Meunier Rose 2024
Luna Estate Eclipse Chardonnay 2023 mature vine fruit used for this drop
Luna Estate Blue Rock Pinot Noir 2021 a blend from both of their vineyards
Wednesday 8 October, 8 pm
Door Price: Members $18 / Guests $22
A pure expression of Central Otago
Alex comes from a background in hospitality and tourism back in Canada.
Moving to Aotearoa last year to pursue opportunities in the heart of Pinot Noir territory, Central Otago, she found her place at Rockburn. Alex has held positions from the cellar door to marketing but loves getting to chat about wines and finding the best fit for every individual palette-there’s a wine out there for everyone! When not at the winery, she spends her time in the
mountains skiing and hiking or diving deep into vintage jazz tracks and dances.
Gibbston Valley Back Road Vineyard reflects the unique terroir.
Rockburn is a wine producer in the Central Otago region on the South Island of New Zealand. The estate makes a range of wines but is perhaps best-known for its award-winning Pinot Noirs – the flagship variety of region.
The winery was founded in 1991 by pioneering heart surgeon Dr. Richard (Dick) Bunton, who planted some of the first vines near Lake Hayes. Over the years, Rockburn expanded its vineyard holdings, with significant sites in Gibbston and Parkburn/Pisa on the shores of Lake Dunstan. In 2002, the brand name changed from Hayes Lake to Rockburn, reflecting the rugged, schist-laden terrain and the region’s distinctive character.
Today, Rockburn remains proudly independent, with the James and Halford families as key stakeholders. Longstanding winemaker Malcolm Rees-Francis, who joined the team in 2005, continues to lead the winemaking, focusing on minimal intervention and precision to express site and season. A new winery opened in 2016, designed around Rees-Francis’ winemaking approach. This year marks his 20th vintage at Rockburn.
Rockburn’s signature varietals are crafted to highlight the vibrant purity and cool-climate elegance of Central Otago.
Rockburn produces a diverse portfolio of wines, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling, and the Stolen Kiss Rosé, alongside other labels such as Crimson Peak and Devil’s Staircase. All wines are made at the Cromwell winery, with fruit sourced from premium vineyards across Gibbston and Parkburn/Pisa.
Wines for the night are:
2025 Stolen Kiss Rose’
2024 Pinot Gris
2024 Fume’ Blanc
2023 Chardonnay
2023 Crimson Peak
2023 Pinot Noir
2022 The Art Pinot Noir
To help members have an easy payment method on the evening, there will be an EFTPOS machine to process orders.
Wow! What an enjoyable evening. Most people would have known or visited this local vineyard, although it’s now, thanks to Transmission Gully, simply a short drive north of Wellington.
We had 30 people turn up for the evening and we were entertained and informed by the vineyards CE, Donna and Jo Scully. They opened with a Karakia which was a change from the norm for our evenings, then went on to explain that their winemaker was Jayne Cooper, a well known winemaker
and wine judge.
Visit Ohau wines
They had got up to 4ha of grapes at one stage but were now down to 25ha as a business decision and better knowledge of their grape varieties and the land they grow on. One side of their land used to be used to farm horses, the other as a produce farm, so they are blessed with highly fertile growing soils with a high amount of organic content.
Their wines have been vegan since 2020, but this doesn’t hold them back at all!
As all their wines are ‘made’ in the Wairarapa, they truck their grapes over the hill for production.
This leaves extra barrel time for the grapes to be in contact with their skins, so the wine can have different expression at the end of its journey, when compared to similar varietals grown by other wineries.
As a reminder the wines we tasted on the evening:
View toward Tararua Forest Park
Not the Norm Rose 2020 – opening wine – a lovely drop, liked by all that is substantially Pinot Gris with a small amount of Pinot Noir for colour. This is their second vintage.
Ohau Gravels Pinot Gris 2023 – fruit forward and aromatic; they leave the grapes on the vines longer before harvesting this batch to bring out fuller flavours.
Ohau Gravels Chardonnay 2024 – they plant their Chardonnay on either side of SH2, as the tarmac provides a natural heat source for these vines and the traffic keeps the flow circulating!
Selected Vines Sauvignon Blanc 2012 – made using more than one clone of Sauvignon, this is fully oaked with wild ferment but no added yeast – the French have been ‘oaking’ Sauvignon for yonks! A nice change to the usual taste of Sauvignon for non-white drinkers.
Not the Norm Sauvignon Black 2021 – this is made with a mix of skins cold-pressed; stainless steel barrel and oak barrel with wild ferment. Sauvignon drinkers will like this!
Ohau Gravels Pinot Noir 2024 – 80% stainless steel / 20% oak cask, this was a light but flavoursome drop.
Not the Norm Te Tihi – this is in effect a fortified Pinot Noir. A drop that came about because of COVID lockdown and a cancelled export order of their WovenStone Pinot Noir. The staff thought laterally and took this batch of red to the Brewtown people, asked them to add a white spirit and whala! They have their version of a lighter sweet red – well worth the taste experience, and one of our members of taking it around the country to family this Christmas!
Well worth a visit, their cellar door is open from Tuesday-Saturday.
For our November we are returning to Hawkes Bay and trying some wines not previously tasted by us. We’ve described the evening as a Summer Festive Tasting as we are looking to taste some bubbles, compare two Rosés, as well as looking at two great reds that you might want to enjoy at a summer BBQ. We are finishing with a sticky that we know will appeal to many of our members.
That said, there is also plenty of quality in this tasting as it includes two wines from the Jewelstone range, Mission’s premier range, as well as two of their reserve wines. And the other good news is these wines have been heavily subsidised which is why the door price is so attractive.
Here’s what’s on our tasting list for the evening, in no particular order at this time.
Mission Fete Brut Cuvee
Stables Rosé
Jewelstone Rosé [noting the 2024 has recently been released and is now called Blanc De Noir]
Jewelstone Chardonnay
Mission Reserve Syrah
Mission Reserve Malbec
Mission Estate Late Harvest Riesling
And finishing our last formal tasting for the year, there will be a Christmas morsel to go with the last wine. What a great way to finish!
This is going to be a fun evening, and we look forward to seeing you all there.
Although our numbers were down a little with 27 attending, the evening went with well Rockburn’s Canadian Cellar Door Manager, Alex Crone being both informative and engaging.
The wines produced were a little different to what we are used to, which was exciting for a taste test, with a Fume’ Blanc on the menu for the evening! This was a blend that had been in old oak barrels and was advised as best being served just chilled a little bit. It could also be cellared for up to 10 years.
Their Pinot Gris had a lovely colour, due to half of the wine content having skin contact before being barrelled with the other half of the harvest. A nice touch that added to the taste experience.
Their chardonnay was in a Chablis style, with 60% being barrelled in neutral oak, so the wine didn’t have the normal oaky chardonnay taste we are more used to, none the less a taste experience.
We had the privilege of having a taste of their first vintage of Rockburn Crimson Peak Pinot Noir [2023] – a tasty drop, along with their ‘star wine’ the 2023 Rockburn Pinot Noir.
A reminder of the wines we tasted during the evening:
Welcome Wine – 2025 Stolen Kiss Rose’
2024 Pinot Gris
2024 Fume’ Blanc
2023 Chardonnay
2023 Crimson Peak
2023 Pinot Noir
2022 The Art Pinot Noir
They no longer do a Reisling! But Alex advised that if you could pick up one of these from wine suppliers around Wellington, it was worth a try.
View the extended list of The World’s 50 Best (actually 51st to 100th) Vineyards.
The list of The World’s 50 Best Vineyards 2025 will be revealed at a live awards ceremony in Margaret River, Western Australia, on 19 November.
From established names to rising stars, find out more about the storied estates ranked 51st to 100th in the global ranking, each of which dazzles with world-class terroir, immersive visitor experiences, and unforgettable hospitality.
The 51-100 New Zealand wineries in this prestigious list include:
No.100 Ata Rangi, Martinborough
Ata Rangi in Martinborough is a boutique, organic estate that has earned New Zealand Grand Cru status. It was founded by a dairy farmer who successfully turned his hand to grape growing (with the help of his wife and sister), hence its name, which translates to ‘new beginnings.’
No.100 Ata Rangi, Martinborough
No.98 Felton Road, Central Otago
Felton Road is a pioneer of natural wine and an artisan producer of pinot noir, chardonnay and riesling vintages in New Zealand’s Central Otago region. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, African Boer goats roam the rugged landscape of these organic and biodynamic vineyards.
No.98 Felton Road, Central Otago
No.90 Kumeu River Wines, Auckland
Kumeu River Wines in Auckland features wines made by New Zealand’s first-ever Master of Wine, Michael Brajkovich. Covering 30 hectares of heavy clay soil over sandstone, the vineyard is known for producing world-class chardonnay.
No.90 Kumeu River Wines, Auckland
No.89 Greystone Winery, Waipara
Greystone Winery in Waipara, on New Zealand’s South Island, is an organic, regenerative wine estate that offers guests off-grid accommodation in a glass eco-cabin overlooking the vineyard.
No.89 Greystone Winery, Waipara
No.52 Wairau River Wines, Marlborough
Wairau River Wines was founded by viticulturalist Hamish Rose and his brother and winemaker, Sam Rose. This idyllic New Zealand vineyard is renowned for crafting award-winning sauvignon blanc.
Club Mid-Year Dinner
Recent Event Recap
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