In this episode Daniel speaks with Craggy Range Winemaker, Juilan Grounds, Ata Rangi Vineyard Worker Huia Tibble and Palliser Chief Viticulturist and Winemaker, Guy McMaster. These are some diverse conversations culminating a four part mini series on the Wairarapa Region, a North Island Region that includes the appellations of Martinborough and TeMuna.

Nathan Maynard was born and bred in Martinborough. He has a career in hospitality and involvement with NZ wine for over 20 years. He is now working on projects to involved the greater Wairarapa wine community with the new Hau Ariki Marae in Martinborough.

Larry McKenna has some deep roots both in New Zealand wine and the Wairarapa. He was part of establishing Martinborough as one of NZ's premium wine regions in the early 1980s while at Martinborough Vineyards. In the late 90s he was part of the development of the new appellation , Te Muna Road while starting his own operation at Escarpment.

Daniel chats with winemakers Ben Trinick and Jannine Rickards about their upbringing, heritage, and what it means to be living and working in the Wairarapa. Ben is the Assistant Winemaker at Ata Rangi and Jannine is the winemaker at Urlar Vineyards and producers her own wines under 'The Huntress' label. These interviews were recorded in early August 2020. This podcast series is co produced with the Pinot Noir New Zealand 2022 Conference and is being sponsored by Wine Searcher. Go to www.winesearcher.com and download the app today!

Daniel introduces the new series, starting in the Wairararapa Wine Region and discusses the concepts of Tūrangawaewae, Kaitiakitanga, and Whanaungatanga with Ata Rangi Winemaker and Pinot Noir NZ 2022 Board Member, Helen Masters. This was recorded back in February of 2021 before the worldwide COVID-19 lockdowns. Since that time the conference has been postponed until 2022. This episode was sponsored by Wine Searcher. Go To www.winesearcher.com and download the app

Wilco Lam started his wine journey taking trips into France as a child with his family. Eventually that led him down to Australia and eventually New Zealand to pursue his passion. After completing his winemaking degree at Lincoln Univesity in Canterbury, Wilco was truly on his way. But his eye was always on Martinborough and to part of a production that made these premium, boutique wines. Wilco is now the chief winemaker at Dry River Wines. With plantings dating back to 1979, Dry River is globally one of New Zealand’s most iconic brands producing Pinot Gris, Gewurtztraminer, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Tempranillo. Their website is www.dryriver.co.nz

After a life in commerce and while living in London, Hugh Crighton had his epiphany in wine. He worked in vineyards in England only to come back to Aotearoa to study and work in the emerging winemaking scene. This eventually led him to Hawkes Bay where he has been the Chief Winemaker at the historic Vidal Estate in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand since 2004. Check out Vidal Estate at www.vidal.co.nz This episode is sponsored by www.decibelwines.com

Matt Thompson had been travelling back and forth, across hemispheres for years doing two harvests a year. One in his home country of New Zealand the one in Europe. He has now settled as a highly sought after consultant in Europe. But his journey's have really only led him back home where he met Sophie Parker. Sophie, amidst her own career of winemaking and YouTube Wine Reviews (As Lady Parker), found her match. Together they now produce Blank Canvas Wines, highly sought after expressions from Marlborough and Hawkes Bay.

David Nash really discovered New Zealand wine while overseas in London, one of the world's greatest wine markets. By the time he returned to his home town of Auckland he was all in for New Zealand wine. This passion let him to not only work in the industry but to film and produce what is to date the best documentary on the New Zealand wine industry. 'A Seat At The Table' was released earlier this year to rave reviews and is currently playing around New Zealand and in the festival circuit worldwide. Please visit https://www.nzwinestory.co.nz/ to find out where it is playing near you.

Mary Therese Blair emigrated from Ireland to New Zealand to chase a dream of finding the world’s most exciting wine. Growing up in ‘the world’s smallest town’ somehow led her down a path of wanting to be a marine biologist only to discover that wasn’t quite her cup of tea. But the nickname Mermaid Mary stuck and she fell in love with New Zealand wine somewhere along the way. She is now on a mission to make sure millennials and younger drinkers don’t go down the hellish road of ‘RTDs’ and try something more enjoyable in life, like a glass of New Zealand wine. You can find much of Mary’s work on her website, https://www.mermaidmary.co.nz along with various other publications throughout New Zealand. She also appears frequently on NZ RadioLive. Follow her @mermaidmary on Instagram and ‘Mermaid Mary’ on Facebook. This episode is sponsored by Decibel Wines. Go to www.decibelwines.com and join our wine club. The new Testify Chardonnay is out now!