Following in the footsteps of the late great Didier Dagueneau who died in 2008 was always going to be a big ask. Lucky for us that Louis has more than stepped up to the challenge. Didier almost single handedly changed the image and perception of what Sauvignon Blanc can deliver, Rather than the high acid grassy examples the Dagueneaus Sauvignons are statuesque balanced wines with a myriad of citrus flavours, passionfruit and a streak of minerality running through them. Louis started working in the vineyards when he was 10 years old and started tasting wines at the same time, so the Estate is in his nature and it reflects in the winesthey are a revelation of what Sauvignon Blanc is capable of. We are lucky to be able to present a mini vertical of Pur Sang and Blanc Fume de Pouilly as well as one Silex and we will also try the luscious Babylone Jurancon. This tasting is limited to 12 people.

Join us in sampling a selection of the new arrivals from the Wemyss family. We will have an interesting line up of beautifully balanced blended malts and distinctive single cask offerings this family are renowned for.

We have been blessed in recent years with an abundance of good to great vintages from Champagne. The 2012 vintage was exceptional and there are comparisons to the 1996 and 2002 vintages. For all that, the vintage did not start out well. Frost, hail and disease struck but August saw a great improvement in conditions, that resulted in a fantastic vintage across the board, with a particular emphasis on Pinot Noir. It is thought to be a near perfect vintage, so it is with great excitement that we are able to do a full tasting from this stellar vintage.

Although the vineyards of Central Otago only cover 5% of New Zealands vineyard land, they do produce 20% of the wine in New Zealand. There are a lot of producers both large and small in this little corner of the country and they have achieved massive success both domestically and on the international stage. While most of us are happy to indulge in any of the Pinot Noirs that range from $20-$40 for our mid week tipple we often don't get the opportunity to try the top tier that Central has to offer, especially eight stunners in a row!

With such a wide range of styles, from regional differences to winemaking techniques, Chardonnay is arguably the most diverse of varieties. In this walk-around tasting you will be given the opportunity to taste over 20 of the best coming out of New Zealand.

When Master of Wine Steve Smith and Texan investor Brian Sheth met in 2014, it was more than a bottle of Chardonnay that they shared, but also a dream. A dream of wines made from the best sites possible, pairing location with the varieties and styles which best suited them. Where the French and indeed wine afficionados the world over refer to 'terroir' as being the ultimate influencer over their wines, Smith and Sheth prefer to use the Maori word 'Turangawaewae.' This is our place to stand in the world. Like terroir it also refers to the connection between a place and the people that love it, live in it and work it. Their wines then are all bottled with the vineyard of provenance clearly and proudly marked, as not just being carefully selected as a place where fine wine may be made, but also to indicate that magical sense of Turangawaewae that makes each so different. To take us through the range of Smith + Sheth's new release wines we are proud to host none other than Steve Smith MW himself. Steve is an icon of the New Zealand wine industry, becoming one of our first Masters of Wine and also leading Craggy Range into becoming one of the most highly regarded wineries in the country. This tasting is sure to be very informative as well as taking a delicious first look at a range of superb wines.