A Writer in Wine Country - An Interview with Rex Picketts

A brand new podcast from The Feed, The Sauce features Vicki Ravlich-Horan from Nourish Magazine and Tash McGill, the Spirits Writer from More Good Drinks chatting all things saucy - sometimes sweet and sometimes spicy. Subscribe at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tash-mcgill0/episodes/The-Sauce-on-Cookbooks-e2c8bgg.

A juicy wee update from Vicki Ravlich-Horan and Tash McGill about all things happening at The Feed as we introduce a brand new podcast called The Sauce. Please update your links in your favourite podcast app!

Invivo Wines have taken a unique approach to the world of winemaking and spirits, collaborating with Graham Norton to produce approachable wines, gin and now - vodka. Tim from Invivo Wines and Dave Ryan from Black Pineapple join Tash McGill to talk about collaboration, all things Irish and to introduce the incredible Tay-to-tini, available in a limited edition kit this summer. You can also watch this podcast in video format https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5XEn-2PW3c

Camille Rope and Sophie Gilmour are well known for their hospitality ventures. Sophie is the co-owner of Fatima's Restaurants, and Camille is a chef and consultant and together they run advisory firm Delicious Business. But earlier this year, they took the trouble to stop and think about what makes for success. The result was AUT Co-Starters: the Hospo Edition, a 10-week programme that equips aspiring hospitality entrepreneurs with the insight and tools needed to take the next step in building a sustainable business. Vincent spoke to them about what matters most.

This week Vincent speaks with Nick Carey, from Green Meadows. The Carey family have been farming in Taranaki for 120 years. But in 2012 they stepped into the unknown, launching a butchery and an online store to take their grass-fed Angus beef directly to the public. Ten years on, that online store is thriving but Green Meadows is also now in major supermarkets, exported to Singapore and the Pacific Islands and experimenting with new flavours and product, in partnership with chef Michael van de Elzen.

James Smith started his working life as a night-shift worker in a small butcher shop. Thirteen years later he’s won multiple awards, including the 2020 NZ Butcher of the Year and was selected for the New Zealand Sharp Blacks team - that’s right, there is such a thing. But it was in a Sydney competition that earned the title, The Tattooed Butcher, an identity he’s now fully embraced on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Vincent spoke to James for a few minutes between his busy schedule of filming and managing those spring orders for his online shop.

American novelist and filmmaker Rex Pickett is in New Zealand roaming around in a campervan, travelling to our best wine regions and Winetopia, all in search of the storyline for the next sequel to Sideways, his renown novel that was made into an acclaimed film of the same name in 2004. We spoke about his impressions of New Zealand's wine country so far and what's he's hoping for as he travels around the country meeting wine-lovers, book lovers and winemakers. 

Lyre's Spirits Co. have been thoughtfully changing the way people think about non-alcoholic cocktails and mindful drinking on both sides of the bar. We spoke with Lyre's Flavour Architect, David Murphy about how he creates flavour, mouthfeel and an approach to cocktails that feels fresh and comforting. 

Beervana is New Zealand's premier craft beer event, offering the best from NZ and Australia and a few handpicked craft beers from around the world. It’s also a mind-bending, palate expanding wonderland that fills Wellington’s Sky Stadium on August 19/20 with 80+ breweries 400 beers. From outrageous brewery displays to the best culinary bites, exciting live music and weird street performance it’s a beerstravagnaza. It’s also amazingly the 21st year for Beervana and to tell us all about this year’s event and celebration Vincent was joined by Beervana manager Ryan McArthur.

Wellington on a Plate launches in the last weekend of this month and runs through August. Kicking off in the first weekend is pop up experience, The Sea Breeze Inn, celebrating Aotearoa New Zealand's fresh, seasonal and sustainable kaimoana. The Inn will run over three-nights, 29- 31 July. With a nod to nostalgic childhood family restaurants, expect classics to be reinterpreted, including fish and chips, fritters, chowder and a raw bar. Vincent was joined by Sea Breeze brains, chef Morgan McGlone, and collaborator Martin Bosley from Yellow Brick Road.