Waiheke Island is like that deep breath you finally take after a long trip which was much needed after our 16 days at sea. It’s just a quick ferry ride from downtown Auckland, but once you get there, everything slows down. Vineyards roll right down to the harbor, and every bend in the road gives you another jaw-dropping view. It’s the sort of place where you want to kick back, sip a great drink (or 3), and remember why wine and travel just go hand in hand. What makes Waiheke stand out is how easily it mixes top-notch wine with laid-back island vibes. The vineyards thrive in a warm, breezy climate that gives the wines plenty of flavor but keeps them lively. Most wineries focus on Bordeaux-style blends, especially cabernet sauvignon and merlot, but you’ll also come across bold syrahs, crisp chardonnays, and light rosés. The tasting rooms are just as cool as the wine—often sitting on hills with sweeping views of the Hauraki Gulf, where you can watch sailboats drift by as you take a sip.

Auckland’s wine scene is a dynamic blend of urban sophistication and nearby vineyard escapes, making it one of New Zealand’s most exciting cities for wine lovers. While the city itself is home to an impressive range of wine bars, cellar doors, and award-winning restaurants, many of the country’s top wine regions are just a short drive or ferry ride away—most notably Waiheke Island, famous for its bold Bordeaux-style reds and boutique wineries, and Matakana, known for elegant pinot noir and chardonnay. Together, Auckland and its surrounding regions offer the perfect mix of cosmopolitan tasting experiences and relaxed, scenic vineyard visits.

Perched on the eastern edge of New Zealand’s North Island, Gisborne occupies a singular place in the world of wine. It is famously known as one of the first places on Earth to see the sunrise, and that early light defines not just the rhythm of life here, but the character of its vineyards. Gisborne’s wine scene is unhurried, expressive, and deeply tied to its land—less about prestige and polish, more about place, people, and purity.

Often overshadowed by Marlborough’s Sauvignon Blanc fame or Hawke’s Bay’s Bordeaux blends, Gisborne quietly produces some of New Zealand’s most compelling and distinctive wines. For those willing to look beyond the obvious, this coastal region offers a tasting experience that feels intimate, authentic, and refreshingly grounded.

While other parts of New Zealand later gained international attention for bright, aromatic whites, Hawke’s Bay quietly focused on structure, balance, and wines built to last. Geologically, Hawke’s Bay is fascinating. Earthquakes, ancient riverbeds, and shifting coastlines created an unusually wide range of soil types within a relatively compact area. Gravel, sand, clay, limestone, and silt all appear here—sometimes within a short drive of one another. This diversity is one of the region’s greatest strengths, allowing different grape varieties to shine in different pockets of the area.

Martinborough wines are defined by restraint rather than excess. Set on free-draining gravel terraces at the southern edge of New Zealand’s North Island, the region produces wines that emphasize balance, structure, and clarity of place. Cool nights, persistent winds, and long growing seasons preserve acidity and build complexity, particularly in Pinot Noir—the grape that has come to define Martinborough’s global reputation. What sets Martinborough apart is consistency of intent. Small producers, hands-on winemaking, and a shared respect for the land result in wines that feel thoughtful and unforced. They don’t shout—they linger. And in a world increasingly drawn to authenticity, Martinborough wines reward those willing to slow down and listen.

New Zealand may sit at the edge of the world, but when it comes to wine, it stands firmly at the center of modern winemaking. Shaped by cool coastal breezes, dramatic landscapes, and an uncompromising respect for the land, New Zealand wines are defined by clarity, energy, and a powerful sense of place. From the electric freshness of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc to the layered elegance of Central Otago Pinot Noir, every glass feels like an invitation to explore—where pristine vineyards meet snow-capped mountains and turquoise lakes. This journey through New Zealand wine is not just about what’s in the bottle, but about the land, people, and stories that make each pour unforgettable.

As we dive into 2025, wine enthusiasts and collectors are turning to vintage charts to guide their selections. These charts offer insights into the quality and aging potential of wines from various regions and years. Here’s an overview of the 2025 vintage charts from leading wine publications, highlighting notable regions and trends.

Tucked into the sun-drenched southern coast of Portugal, the Algarve is known to most for its golden beaches, jagged cliffs, and slow, seaside afternoons. But beyond the postcard vistas and resort towns lies a far older story; one rooted not in tourism, but in terroir.

ucked away on the lush slopes of Mauna Loa, within the town of Volcano, Hawaii, Volcano Winery is an extraordinary destination that combines the lush beauty of the Big Island with the art of winemaking. Located on the slopes of the Mauna Loa volcano, this boutique winery offers visitors a truly unique experience—where volcanic soil, tropical fruits, and the spirit of aloha blend to create exceptional wines and memories. Volcano Winery’s location sets it apart from traditional vineyards. Situated at an elevation of approximately 4,000 feet, the vineyard is surrounded by a landscape shaped by ancient lava flows and lush rainforest. This dramatic setting not only makes it a feast for the eyes but also contributes to the unique terroir that influences the wines. The volcanic soil in this region is rich in minerals, providing an ideal environment for cultivating grapes and other fruits. The winery’s proximity to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park adds to its allure, making it a perfect stop for travelers exploring the island’s natural wonders.

Pairing Halloween candy with wine may sound unconventional, but it’s a playful way to enhance both the flavors of your favorite sweets and the depth of some well-loved wines. Here’s a fun guide to make this Halloween a bit more refined for the adults, with fun and surprisingly delicious wine-candy pairings that balance the richness, sweetness, and unique flavors of Halloween treats. While this list isn’t an absolute and may vary with taste, mess around with some of your favorite treats and see which wine makes them even more enjoyable! 

Veuve Clicquot isn’t just a bottle of champagne; it’s a symbol of luxury, history, and innovation. Known for its bold yellow label and world-class bubbly, the brand has been a favorite for both champagne enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike. But beyond the delicious drink lies an inspiring story of a determined woman who revolutionized the champagne industry. Let’s dive into the journey of Veuve Clicquot and what makes it such a beloved name around the world.

Located in the heart of Lombardy, the Franciacorta region has been quietly crafting a revolution in the world of sparkling wines. This picturesque area, with its rolling hills and medieval castles, is home to Italy's answer to Champagne – a sparkling wine that has risen in prestige to rival its French counterpart.

Wine enthusiasts often appreciate the rich flavors, the art of pairing with food, and the cultural significance of wine. However, there are times and circumstances when one might prefer or need to abstain from alcohol. This is where non-alcoholic wines come into play, offering a way to enjoy the complexities of wine without the intoxicating effects. Non-alcoholic wines are crafted to provide the same sensory experience as traditional wines but contain less than 0.5% alcohol by volume. Some are even produced to have 0.0% alcohol. These wines go through a similar fermentation process as alcoholic wines, ensuring that they retain the nuanced flavors and aromas expected from a fine wine.

Over spring break, my wife and I met up with our extended family from Oregon and ventured down to Sonoma for a weeklong excursion amongst the vines in one of the country’s most known wine destinations. Truth be told, like many who want the long-standing champs to fail, I too wanted to visit Sonoma and dislike everything compared to my home state of Washington’s wines (playfully of course). But while I have an extreme loyalty to my northern grape growers, I have to say, I gained a new appreciation for California grapes and the awesome people who do magical things with them. This article is an all too short summary of the places we visited and some spots you need to check out if you find yourself in Sonoma County!

The Grand Tasting, Taste WA’s premier food and wine event was as always, incredible, and the setup of the event even better than years past. With 350+ wineries and restaurants in attendance, patrons had their fill of sampling the best of what Washington has to offer, which I already knew, was the best food and wine scene in the country. Amongst the amazing wineries present, I was particularly impressed by the Red Mountain producers and growers, whose wine’s have exponentially improved over the last decade, and in my opinion, are becoming the powerhouse of Washington like Russian River Valley or Moon Mountain are to California. This article will talk about some of the best places representing Red Mountain this year and some must haves from their wineries.

The Grand Tasting is an annual event that transforms the Lumen Field Event Center into a vibrant showcase of the state's most renowned wineries and restaurants. With over 200 wineries and 75+ restaurants participating, attendees are invited to indulge in an array of exquisite wines paired with culinary delights that highlight the local cuisine's diversity and innovation

Unless you track the yearly wine holidays as nerds like me do, you probably didn’t know that December 20th is “National Sangria Day”! If you are looking for a refreshing and fruity drink to enjoy on a sunny (or even winter) day, you might want to try sangria, the popular Spanish wine punch. But do you know the history of sangria and how it became a symbol of Spain? In this article, I’ll explore the origins, variations, and recipes of this delicious drink.

If you are a wine lover, you might be wondering what the best wines of 2023 are. Well, look no further than The Enthusiast 100, the annual list of the most exciting wines of the year compiled by Wine Enthusiast magazine. This list is not based on scores or prices, but on the quality, diversity and originality of the wines that impressed the reviewers the most.

Wine is more than just a beverage. It is a product of culture, history, and nature. It is also a source of economic activity, tourism, and innovation. While we commonly think of California, Oregon, or Washington as wine destinations, there are quite a few states in the US that contribute to a very large market, and having family in the mid-west has given me an opportunity to travel and explore some lesser known areas. In this article, I explore the wine industry in Missouri and Arkansas, two states that have a rich and varied wine heritage.