The Wine Chief

18/12/2025

Popped into Normanby Fine Wine & Spirits in Mt Eden, Auckland to check out the new venue (opened in August 2025) and straight away - felt the mana. Liz is an absolute legend, making the time and welcoming me.

Then came the moment… the opening of one of my all-time favourite rosés. Whispering Angel, Salmanazar (9L). I told Liz I genuinely felt like I was back in Côte de Provence, sunshine on the face, glass in hand. That’s the power of wine done right.

Big thanks to Liz and the Normanby team for the warm hospitality. I’m looking forward to featuring Normanby in an upcoming newsletter and working together on future events.

23/09/2025

Thanks for the lovely memory & mention

17/09/2025

Good times! We laughed, we talked, we enjoyed good wine.

Had a wonderful evening hosting a wine tasting at Evelyn Page Retirement Village Ryman Healthcare last night. Good wine and great company over a few snacks. It was truly an honor to serve our elders and retired folks. Moments like these are what make this journey special.

Thank you Michael Sanders for booking me in.

For more information on bespoke wine tastings and what we do at Premier Ligne.

www.premierligne.com

www.thewinechief.co.nz

17/09/2025

Good times! We laughed, we talked, we enjoyed good wine.

Had a wonderful evening hosting a wine tasting at Evelyn Page Retirement Village Ryman Healthcare last night. Good wine and great company over a few snacks. It was truly an honor to serve our elders and retired folks. Moments like these are what make this journey special.

10/09/2025

What’s the most memorable wine you’ve ever had, and where were you?

My most memorable wine was a Champagne Gremillet, Selection Brut in France, with my beautiful wife celebrating our wedding anniversary, 2017.

08/09/2025

Fermentation in full swing! My favourite variety - Pinot Noir.
See that cap of grape skins floating on top? In Burgundy we call this pe***ng or pigeage. Every day during fermentation, someone has the responsibility to plunge the skins back into the juice. Why?
🍷It unlocks colour, tannin, and those beautiful red flavours Pinot Noir is known for.
🍷It keeps fermentation healthy and even.
🍷Most importantly, it's gentle, perfect for Pinot's delicate skins.

06/09/2025

Great effort today boys!! 🇹🇴🇨🇰💯👏

03/09/2025

First harvest vibes from Burgundy 🍇🇫🇷
Mathieu just shared these Pinot Noir berries from Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru Les Narbantons — small, vibrant, and full of colour.

Small berries = big flavour. Beautiful colour = great vintage ahead. Burgundy magic in the making 🍷✨

02/09/2025

Great to catch up with my good mate Mathieu from my old rugby club, Stade Dijonnais 🏉🍷 Now a winemaker at Domaine Mongeard-Mugneret in Burgundy, he’s gearing up for harvest starting tomorrow.

We had a great chat about exploring vintage opportunities for him here in New Zealand next season – exciting times ahead!

All the best for the start of harvest in Burgundy, Mathieu – wishing you and the team a smooth and successful vintage 🙌🍇🇫🇷

02/08/2025

Successful Launch of our first Wine Experience | Sips & Scrums tour I 🍷🏉

Looking forward to our Sips & Scrums Tour II in 2026 😉🥂

Sign up via www.thewinechief.co.nz for future updates on Premier Ligne Wine Experiences

Thank you to all who partnered with us to make this happen.

Kumeu River Winery – www.kumeuriver.co.nz
Westbrook Winery – www.westbrook.co.nz
Eden Park Experiences – www.edenpark.co.nz
Compass Coaches – www.compasscoaches.co.nz
STH New Zealand – www.sthgroup.co.nz
Maison Vauron – www.maisonvauron.co.nz
Dynamic Gift NZ (Auckland) – www.dynamicgift.co.nz
Alpine Print (NZ) – www.alpineprint.co.nz
Vision Production NZ (Instagram) – https://www.instagram.com/visionproduction_nz_/

https://youtu.be/EjowC9c-_uw?feature=shared

Step into the ultimate day where rugby legends meet world-class wine on the first-ever Sips & Scrums Tour I! 🍷🏉Hosted by The Wine Chief, Semisi Telefoni, t...

17/07/2025

...🏉🍷One more day... Premier Ligne