E96 Merrick Watts - Wine Comedian

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.nzwww.nzwinepodcast.comwww.instagram.com/nzwinepodcastThis 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

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.nzwww.nzwinepodcast.comwww.instagram.com/nzwinepodcastThis 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

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.www.sommelieredit.com/nz/top-100-sommeliers/results-2025/www.nzwinepodcast.comwww.instagram.com/nzwinepodcastThis 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

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.nzwww.nzwinepodcast.comwww.instagram.com/nzwinepodcastThis 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

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.nzwww.instagram.com/nzwinepodcastwww.nzwinepodcast.comThis 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

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.nzwww.nzwinepodcast.comwww.instagram.com/nzwinepodcastThis 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

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.www.comedyfestival.co.nz/find-a-show/idiots-guide-to-winewww.instagram.com/nzwinepodcastwww.nzwinepodcast.comThis 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

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.comwww.nzwinepodcast.comwww.instagram.com/nzwinepodcastThis 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

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.www.huiavineyards.comwww.nzwinepodcast.comwww.instagram.com/nzwinepodcastThis 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.

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 Donaldsonwww.pegasusbay.comFrank Manifold - Mount Brown Estateswww.mountbrown.co.nzWillie Trew - The Bonelinewww.theboneline.co.nzTime to squirrel some 2024's away!www.nzwinepodcast.comwww.instagram.com/nzwinepodcastThis 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