NZ Wine Podcast - New Zealand Wine Stories

Music track featured on this podcast: ‘Here He Was’ – courtesy of Brent Page. Dog Squad Music

E105 Mo Koski - Apéro Restaurant

Sun, 22 Feb 2026 00:19:00 -0400

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, food, and creating experiences that take people on a journey. With a focus on wines of difference and thoughtfully crafted dishes, they aim to help guests discover new flavours, try something different, and enjoy a truly memorable night out.

This episode is #3 in our Karangahape Road wine bars and eateries series, continuing to showcase the people and ideas that make this Auckland street a hub for adventurous dining and drinking.

www.apero.co.nz

Music track featured on this podcast: ‘Here He Was’ – courtesy of Brent Page. Dog Squad Music

E104 Jonathan Thévenard - Pici Restaurant

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 08:30:00 -0400

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 honest. He shares his journey into hospitality, the philosophy behind Pici’s much-loved pasta, and their focus on natural wines that complement the menu and bring a sense of discovery to every meal. Creating a welcoming, vibrant space for guests is central to everything they do.

This episode is #2 in our Karangahape Road wine bars and eateries series, continuing our exploration of the people and ideas shaping one of Auckland’s most exciting dining streets.

www.picipasta.co.nz

Music track featured on this podcast: ‘Here He Was’ – courtesy of Brent Page. Dog Squad Music

E103 Matt Gosset - Atelier Restaurant

Sun, 08 Feb 2026 23:58:00 -0400

Matt Gossett, owner of Atelier on Karangahape Road and several other hospitality ventures around Auckland, joins the podcast to talk wine, food, and the energy that defines one of the city’s most dynamic streets. Known for a vibrant programme of wine dinners, collaborations, and special events, Matt shares his journey into hospitality and the thinking behind creating places that bring people together.

This episode is the first in three of our new mini series exploring Karangahape Road wine bars and eateries, digging into the people, ideas, and hospitality culture shaping this iconic Auckland neighbourhood.

www.atelierkrd.co.nz

Music track featured on this podcast: ‘Here He Was’ – courtesy of Brent Page. Dog Squad Music

E102 John Belsham - Foxes Island Wines

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 04:22:00 -0400

John Belsham, founder of Foxes Island Wines, is a pioneer of New Zealand winemaking with a career spanning more than four decades. Having established one of Marlborough’s early independent wineries, he has helped shape the country’s modern wine identity through both his own wines and extensive consulting work with producers in New Zealand and abroad. John shares insights from his journey in the industry, reflections on craftsmanship and longevity, and what continues to inspire his pursuit of quality and authenticity in wine.

www.foxes-island.co.nz

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Music track featured on this podcast: ‘Here He Was’ – courtesy of Brent Page. Dog Squad Music

E101 Jenna Sisson - The Hour Glass

Sun, 05 Oct 2025 07:00:00 -0400

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 celebrates great wine, good company, and genuine connection.

From wine enthusiast to bar owner, Jenna’s journey has taken her to hundreds of vineyards across New Zealand, experiences that have shaped her approach to creating a thoughtful and diverse wine list.

She shares the inspiration behind The Hour Glass, the stories that make wine personal, and what how she loves introducing customers to new experiences.

www.hourglass.co.nz

www.sommelieredit.com/nz/top-100-sommeliers/results-2025/

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Music track featured on this podcast: ‘Here He Was’ – courtesy of Brent Page. Dog Squad Music

E100 Top 100 Sommeliers New Zealand

Sun, 14 Sep 2025 09:30:00 -0400

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 of Sommelier Edit, join the podcast to discuss the initiative, sharing insights into its creation, the people it celebrates, and what it means for the future of wine service in Aotearoa.

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Music track featured on this podcast: ‘Here He Was’ – courtesy of Brent Page. Dog Squad Music

E99 Wilco Lam - Oraterra

Sat, 06 Sep 2025 01:24:00 -0400

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 in wine, the vision behind Oraterra, and how his deep connection to Martinborough has shaped his approach to crafting expressive, site-driven wines.

www.oraterra.nz

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Music track featured on this podcast: ‘Here He Was’ – courtesy of Brent Page. Dog Squad Music

E98 Paul Dunleavy - Te Motu Vineyard

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 02:15:00 -0400

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 the true pioneers of Waiheke winemaking and shares stories of his early encounters with some of the most influential figures in the global wine world. From the early days to its reputation today, Paul offers a rare first-hand perspective on the shaping of New Zealand’s fine wine identity.

www.temotu.co.nz

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Music track featured on this podcast: ‘Here He Was’ – courtesy of Brent Page. Dog Squad Music

E97 Vanessa Reynolds - Tūāpae Vineyard

Mon, 28 Jul 2025 04:56:00 -0400

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 found a place where their roots could intertwine - nurturing both vines and family.

Vanessa and her children hold a deep ancestral bond to the land and sea through their iwi, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki.

Recorded onsite October 2024.

www.tuapae.co.nz

www.comedyfestival.co.nz/find-a-show/idiots-guide-to-wine

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Music track featured on this podcast: ‘Here He Was’ – courtesy of Brent Page. Dog Squad Music

E96 Merrick Watts - Wine Comedian

Sun, 11 May 2025 04:00:00 -0400

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 has toured wineries and arts festivals around Australia and is now in NZ for 4 shows across Auckland and Wellington.

This episode is brought to you with thanks to www.bizebu.com - Let's get your business started!

Music track featured on this podcast: ‘Here He Was’ – courtesy of Brent Page. Dog Squad Music

E95 Warren Gibson - Trinity Hill

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 04:49:00 -0400

Warren Gibson, Chief Winemaker at Trinity Hill, has built a distinguished career crafting world-class wines in Hawke’s Bay and beyond. With extensive experience in both New Zealand and international winemaking, he shares insights into his journey, the evolution of Hawke’s Bay as a wine region, his Bilancia label and how his perspective has influenced his approach to making memorable wines.

www.trinityhill.com

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Music track featured on this podcast: ‘Here He Was’ – courtesy of Brent Page. Dog Squad Music

E94 Josh Lee - Huia Estate

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 04:47:00 -0400

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 from both New Zealand and overseas. Josh shares insights into his journey in the industry, what drew him to Huia, and how his time working overseas has shaped his approach to crafting expressive Marlborough wines.

This episode is brought to you with thanks to www.bizebu.com - Let's get your business started!

Music track featured on this podcast: ‘Here He Was’ – courtesy of Brent Page. Dog Squad Music.

E93 2024 Harvest Update Waipara

Sun, 08 Dec 2024 20:21:00 -0400

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 into this year's vintage.

This leg of our journey is in Waipara, North Canterbury speaking with three leading wineries:

Pegasus Bay Winery - Paul Donaldson

www.pegasusbay.com

Frank Manifold - Mount Brown Estates

www.mountbrown.co.nz

Willie Trew - The Boneline

www.theboneline.co.nz

Time to squirrel some 2024's away!

www.ongiantsshoulders.co.nz

This episode is brought to you with thanks to www.bizebu.com - Let's get your business started!

Music track featured on this podcast: ‘Here He Was’ – courtesy of Brent Page. Dog Squad Music

E92 2024 Harvest Update Martinborough

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 20:48:00 -0400

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 into this year's vintage.

This leg of our journey is in Martinborough, speaking with three leading wineries:

On Giants Shoulders - Wilco Lam

The Elder Pinot - Nigel Elder

www.theelderpinot.com

Escarpment Winery - Tim Bourne

www.escarpment.co.nz

This episode is brought to you with thanks to www.bizebu.com - Let's get your business started!

Music track featured on this podcast: ‘Here He Was’ – courtesy of Brent Page. Dog Squad Music

E91 2024 Harvest Update Otago

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 21:00:00 -0400

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 into this year's vintage.

The 2nd leg of our journey is in Otago, speaking with four talented winemakers from:

Misha's Vineyard - Olly Masters

www.mishasvineyard.com

Te Kano Estate - Dave Sutton

www.tekanoestate.com

Valli Wine - Jen Parr

www.valliwine.com

Prophet's Rock - Paul Pujol

www.prophetsrock.co.nz

This episode is brought to you with thanks to www.bizebu.com - Let's get your business started!

Music track featured on this podcast: ‘Here He Was’ – courtesy of Brent Page. Dog Squad Music

E90 2024 Harvest Update Marlborough

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 04:00:00 -0400

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 this year's vintage. We begin our journey in the heart of Marlborough, speaking with four talented winemakers from:

Huia Vineyards - Josh Lee

te Pā Wines - Sam Bennett

www.tepawines.com

Framingham Wines - Stef Suarez

www.framingham.co.nz

Hans Herzog Estate - Hans and Therese Herzog

www.herzog.co.nz

This episode is brought to you with thanks to www.bizebu.com - Let's get your business started!

Music track featured on this podcast: ‘Here He Was’ – courtesy of Brent Page. Dog Squad Music

E89 Anna Flowerday - Te Whare Ra Wines

Fri, 23 Aug 2024 23:16:00 -0400

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 efforts in organic farming. With both of them hailing from multi-generational wine backgrounds Anna is from McLaren Vale in South Australia.

www.twrwines.co.nz

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Music track featured on this podcast: ‘Here He Was’ – courtesy of Brent Page. Dog Squad Music

E88 Haysley MacDonald - te Pa Wines

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 23:20:00 -0400

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 of discovery and independence lives on today.

www.tepawines.com

This episode is brought to you with thanks to www.bizebu.com - Let's get your business started!

Music track featured on this podcast: ‘Here He Was’ – courtesy of Brent Page. Dog Squad Music

E87 Nigel Elder - The Elder Pinot

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Nigel Elder is the visionary behind The Elder Pinot and his story moves through various vocations before landing in Martinborough where he worked alongside some of New Zealand's great winemakers before venturing off to make his own exquisite Pinot Noir.

www.theelderpinot.com

Music track featured on this podcast: ‘Here He Was’ – courtesy of Brent Page. Dog Squad Music

This episode is brought to you with thanks to www.bizebu.com - Let's get your business started!

E86 Lucie Lawrence - O'Naturel Wines

Mon, 09 Oct 2023 10:00:00 -0400

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 the next venture for the couple and their family located just outside of Cromwell in the Central Otago.

www.onaturel.co.nz

www.whitehaven.co.nz/collections/koparepare

Music track featured on this podcast: ‘Here He Was’ – courtesy of Brent Page. Dog Squad Music

This episode is brought to you with thanks to www.bizebu.com - Let's get your business started!

E85 Koparepare Wines - Samantha White & Josh Barclay

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 15:00:00 -0400

Kōparepare is produced and bottled by Whitehaven, and for every bottle sold a donation is made to LegaSea, helping to protect and restore New Zealand’s marine environment.

www.legasea.co.nz

Music track featured on this podcast: ‘Here He Was’ – courtesy of Brent Page. Dog Squad Music

This episode is brought to you with thanks to www.bizebu.com - Let's get your business started!

E84 Tim Bourne - Escarpment Winery

Sat, 25 Feb 2023 08:15:00 -0400

Tim Bourne is the Senior Winemaker at Escarpment Winery in Martinborough. From his first vintage in Marlborough to short stints in Central Otago and Waipara, along with a vintage in Western Australia, this led Tim to eventually taking up the opportunity to work with Larry McKenna.

www.escarpment.co.nz

Music track featured on this podcast: ‘Here He Was’ – courtesy of Brent Page. Dog Squad Music

This episode is brought to you with thanks to www.bizebu.com - Let's get your business started!

E83 Larry McKenna - Escarpment Winery

Sun, 19 Feb 2023 15:15:00 -0400

Widely regarded as the Prince of Pinot Noir in New Zealand, Larry has been in the wine industry for over 40 years which includes founding Escarpment Winery in Martinborough.

www.eskvalleywines.com

www.nzwine.com/en/media/story/nz-rose-day

Music track featured on this podcast: ‘Here He Was’ – courtesy of Brent Page. Dog Squad Music

This episode is brought to you with thanks to www.bizebu.com - Let's get your business started!

E82 NZ Wine Podcast Caro Jensen - NZ Rose Day

Thu, 02 Feb 2023 05:45:00 -0400

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 wineries both here in NZ and overseas. Eventually co-founding Sip NZ who were instrumental in establishing NZ Rose Day. You can find Caro now at www.caroha.com

Music track featured on this podcast: ‘Here He Was’ – courtesy of Brent Page. Dog Squad Music

This episode is brought to you with thanks to www.bizebu.com - Let's get your business started!

E81 Gordon Russell - Esk Valley Wines

Sun, 29 Jan 2023 21:03:00 -0400

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 and feels privileged to have had the experiences in his life so far.

www.eskvalleywines.com

Music track featured on this podcast: ‘Here He Was’ – courtesy of Brent Page. Dog Squad Music

This episode is brought to you with thanks to www.bizebu.com - Let's get your business started!

E80 Sally Duncan - Laithwaites Wine

Tue, 27 Dec 2022 08:27:00 -0400

In this episode we speak with Sally Duncan, Laithwaites' Wine NZ Country Manager and Chairperson of the Hawke's Bay Winegrowers Association.

www.laithwaites.co.nz

Music track featured on this podcast: ‘Here He Was’ – courtesy of Brent Page. Dog Squad Music

This episode is brought to you with thanks to www.bizebu.com - Let's get your business started!

E79 Lawrence Francis - Interpreting Wine

Thu, 22 Dec 2022 09:00:00 -0400

Lawrence is the Founder and Host of the Interpreting Wine podcast and helps wine brands connect with their dream customers more effectively and efficiently and in doing so has produced over 470 podcasts.

www.interpretingwine.com

Music track featured on this podcast: ‘Here He Was’ – courtesy of Brent Page. Dog Squad Music

This episode is brought to you with thanks to www.bizebu.com - Let's get your business started!

E78 Lauren Swift - Swift Wines

Mon, 26 Sep 2022 07:00:00 -0400

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 producing Swift Wines with her husband Henry.

We speak with Lauren about her journey so far and what's coming up for her.

This episode was recorded May 13, 2022.

www.swiftwines.co.nz

www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz

Music track featured on this podcast: ‘Here He Was’ – courtesy of Brent Page. Dog Squad Music

This episode is brought to you with thanks to www.bizebu.com - Let's get your business started!

E77 Candice Chow - Raymond Chan Wine Reviews

Wed, 18 May 2022 18:45:00 -0400

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 Wine Chat and studying wine in New Zealand Candice is now also running Raymond Chan Wine Reviews.

Music track featured on this podcast: ‘Here He Was’ – courtesy of Brent Page. Dog Squad Music

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E76 Pete Turner - Winemaker

Sun, 17 Apr 2022 13:00:00 -0400

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 Waimauku northwest of Auckland.

Note this episode was recorded in November 2020

www.thehuntinglodge.com

Music track featured on this podcast: ‘Here He Was’ – courtesy of Brent Page. Dog Squad Music

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E75 Emma Lowe - Monowai Estate

Sun, 03 Apr 2022 15:02:00 -0400

New Zealand winemaker Emma Lowe & Chilean vineyard manager Marcelo Nunez travelled from Chile to the foothills of the Kaweka Ranges to establish their vineyard and winery on the banks of the Ngaruroro River in Crownthorpe, a cooler, higher altitude district of the Hawke's Bay.

Note this episode was recorded in Nov 2020

www.monowai.co.nz

Music track featured on this podcast: ‘Here He Was’ – courtesy of Brent Page. Dog Squad Music

This episode is brought to you with thanks to www.bizebu.com - Let's get your business started!

E74 Michael Brajkovich, MW - Kumeu River Wines

Mon, 05 Apr 2021 01:52:43 -0400

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 judge in both New Zealand and Australia.

Following in the footsteps of grandfather Mick and father Maté, the Brajkovich family and Kumeu River Wines is a story that parallels the New Zealand wine industry.

As a winemaker, Michael aims to be recognised as producing world class Chardonnay.

www.kumeuriver.co.nz

Music track featured on this podcast: ‘Here He Was’ – courtesy of Brent Page. Dog Squad Music

This episode is brought to you with thanks to www.bizebu.com - Let's get your business started!

E73 Paul Donaldson - Pegasus Bay

Fri, 19 Mar 2021 11:15:00 -0400

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, North Canterbury.

Youngest son Paul shares how it was growing up in the wine business to now being an active member of the winery which remains in the family.
(Recorded on Zoom - apologies for echo)

www.pegasusbay.com

Music track featured on this podcast: ‘Here He Was’ – courtesy of Brent Page. Dog Squad Music

This episode is brought to you with thanks to

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- Let's get your business started!

E72 Nathan White - Ripe, The Wanaka Wine & Food Festival

Mon, 15 Mar 2021 11:15:00 -0400

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 and who'll be there.
Get tickets at www.ripewanaka.nz
List of Wineries with the relevant NZ Wine podcast episode # for the ones we've spoken with previously Aitkens Folly, Akarua, Amisfield, Aurum episode #30, Black Peak, Burn Cottage episode #41, Cloudy Bay, Coal Pit, Dicey, Domain Thompson, Maude, Misha's episode #60, Maori Point, Mount Michael episode #34, Nanny Goat, Paddons Paddock, Quartz Reef, Valli episode #25
www.nzwinepodcast.com
www.instagram.com/nzwinepodcast

Music track featured on this podcast: ‘Here He Was’ – courtesy of Brent Page. Dog Squad Music

E71 Claire Allan - Huia Vineyards

Mon, 26 Oct 2020 11:00:00 -0400

Claire spent her childhood in North Canterbury in the South Island, (Te Wai Pounamu) and after studying winemaking at Roseworthy in Adelaide, Australia she returned to Marlborough to embark on her winemaking career. After learning the craft of making bubbles at Champagne Taittinger, then coming home and working as a winemaker for one of New Zealand’s earliest wine brands, Corbans, Claire went onto to be the first winemaker at Lawson’s Dry Hills before taking the plunge into making her own wine with her husband Mike. The wine they named after a beautiful native New Zealand bird, The Huia.

Music track featured on this podcast: ‘Here He Was’ – courtesy of Brent Page. Dog Squad Music

This episode is brought to you with thanks to www.bizebu.com - Let's get your business started!

E70 Harvest Update 2020 Auckland

Mon, 05 Oct 2020 11:00:00 -0400

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 River Wines
Pete Turner - The Hunting Lodge Winery
James Rowan - Westbrook Winery
Tyler Soljan - Soljans Estate Winery

www.kumeuriver.co.nz

www.thehuntinglodge.com

www.westbrook.co.nz

www.soljans.co.nz

Music track featured on this podcast: ‘Here He Was’ – courtesy of Brent Page. Dog Squad Music

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E69 Harvest Update 2020 Marlborough

Sat, 01 Aug 2020 03:23:44 -0400

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

Hans & Therese Herzog - Hans Herzog Wines

Claire Allan - Huia Vineyards

www.framingham.co.nz

www.herzog.co.nz

Music track featured on this podcast: ‘Here He Was’ – courtesy of Brent Page. Dog Squad Music

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NZ Wine Podcast 68: Harvest Update 2020 Waipara, North Canterbury

Tue, 21 Jul 2020 19:22:21 -0400

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 Boneline

Paul Donaldson - Pegasus Bay

Frank Manifold - Mt Brown Estates

www.theboneline.co.nz

www.mountbrown.co.nz

www.pegasusbay.com

www.tekanoestate.com
www.valliwine.com
www.lamontwines.co.nz
www.grasshopperrock.co.nz
www.rockburn.co.nz

Music track featured on this podcast: ‘Here He Was’ – courtesy of Brent Page. Dog Squad Music

NZ Wine Podcast 67: Harvest Update 2020 Central Otago

Wed, 24 Jun 2020 22:47:56 -0400

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
Grant Taylor - Valli Wine
Craig Gasson - Lamont Wines
Phil Handford - Grasshopper Rock
Malcolm Rees-Francis - Rockburn Wines