For the Love of Wine: Recent Episodes
Fresh FM
Journalist Kirsten Roedsgaard is passionate about New Zealand wine and invites people in the wine Industry to talk about their careers, back ground, wines and more.
This is the final edition of FOR THE LOVE OF WINE. Host Kirsten Roedsgaard looks back on some of the 50+ shows that have aired since August 2020. She also interviews Daniel Brennan - a Philadelphian, who after tasting a Martinborough Pinot Noir, left for New Zealand in 2007 to learn to make wine. Other than a few bucks, he took the spirit of his great-grandfather, Michelino Rodolico, a Sicilian winemaker, with him on his epic journey to create Decibel wine based in Hawke's Bay.
In this show, other than wine we are also talking about cheese. More specifically – artisan cheese made in Upper Moutere! Sue and David Barrett are quite the entrepreneurs. Since moving to the Nelson/Tasman region in 2003 they have been involved in a number of businesses: Pubs, a brewery and grocery and vegetable stores. Now David shares his time between managing KAHURANGI Estate and Thorvald Cheese, Little River Estate and the Junction – Urban Grocer, the latter in collaboration with Sue. Tune
Winemaker Matt Dicey from Dicey Wines in Central Otago talks about his life in wine, his family and the fact that he was born in South Africa. He was the chief winemaker at Mt. Difficulty for over 20 years but after leaving that role in 2021 he has focused on his business which he runs together with his brother James, a viticulturist. But of course setting up a new business just before Covid-19 hit New Zealand proved to be quite a challenge.
James Millton is a legend in the modern New Zealand wine industry. He and his wife Annie established their Gisborne-based Millton Vineyards and Winery in 1984 and were in the early days ridiculed for embarking on organic and biodynamic farming practises. James talks about how the times have changed, and how consumers are now very keen on organic and biodynamic wine. Both here and especially overseas. James is an incredibly positive and enthusiastic winegrower and you can't help but get inspired!
For 30 years Matthew Rutherford said ”I’ll never own a winery”, yet 2 years ago he purchased Spencer Hill Estate where he had been working for 30 years for the American owners Philip and Sheryl Jones. Spencer Hill Estate is in Upper Moutere and many things are done differently here... Tune in and listen to Matthew's take on Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, oak barrels, Kosher wine, screw caps and being self-sufficient.
After 20 plus years of owning and managing OSTLER Wine, Jim Jerram has sold his business... with mixed emotions of course. Ostler is in the Waitaki Valley in North Otago and Jim Jerram was a pioneer when it comes to planting vines and making wine there. He tells the story of how he went from being a GP for 29 years to becoming a vigneron and vintner producing top-notch Pinot Noir with a difference.
This show tells the story of TOHU wines through chief winemaker Bruce Taylor. TOHU is Aotearoa’s and the world’s first Maori-owned wine business, established in 1998. The Secret behind Tohu’s success is good quality wine and the Maori point of difference and the fact that they "treat their land quite differently". Bruce talks about how the land is very important to Maori as they see themselves as guardians of the land. TOHU has vineyards in the Awatere Valley in Marlborough and in Nelson and pro
Nicholas Brown from Black Estate in Waipara talks passionately about this family-run business. He was voted New Zealand WINEMAKER of the year by the Gourmet Traveller Wine magazine’s annual Awards earlier this year, and it's an award that means a lot - not only to him but the whole team who helps Nicholas make Black Estate's awardwinning biodynamic wines. Being biodynamic is a huge challenge but Nicholas loves what he does and no challenge seems too big!
This show is the 2nd of two called LOOKING BACK where host Kirsten Roedsgaard has chosen to share highlights from some of the nearly 50 shows that have aired since the launch of FOR THE LOVE OF WINE in August 2020. In this edition she is replaying fun, informative and even educational snippets from winemakers all over the country.
This show is called LOOKING BACK 1 as host Kirsten Roedsgaard replays snippets from some of the nearly 50 shows she has done since the show launched in August 2020. Her focus in this show is on WOMEN in the New Zealand wine industry. A subject close to her heart as some years ago she wrote and published a book called PASSION, PINOT & Savvy – focusing on women winemakers in Aotearoa. Kirsten interviewed 16 women and a few of them have since featured here on FOR THE LOVE OF WINE.
Kirsten chats with Auckland-based Martin Cahnbley who established Planet Wine in 2003. He describes his business like this: “We travel around the world to discover great wines, great people, great stories. We cannot help ourselves and also import small lots of spirits, liquors, olive oils and beers.” Martin talks about his fascinating career in wine, his background growing up in South Africa and of course wine from around the globe!
Rosie Butler was quite the pioneer in the New Zealand wine industry, she got involved in the early 1970s. She is a winemaker and worked in both NZ and Australia before establishing LIMEROCK WINES with her Australian husband Rodger Tynan, an ecologist, in Waipawa in Central Hawkes Bay. Last year they decided to sell the vineyard which sadly means the end of Limerock Wines. Full retirement is not quite yet on the cards however, as the two are busy selling the stock of their beautiful Limerock wine
The New Zealand world of wine is full of colourful people who are all passionate about their craft.
Cameron Douglas is New Zealand's only Master Sommelier and Kirsten talks to him about his very unique role in the wine sector. From teaching to promoting and judging - Cameron wears at lot of hats. He has travelled extensively, loves food and wine and is passionate about people and the hospitality industry. A fun and very informative interview.
In this edition Kirsten talks to Kai Schubert about his winery Schubert Wines. He and Marion Deimling both originate from Germany and both studied viticulture and oenology at Germany's wellknown Geisenheim University. In fact, that is where they met and decided to search the world for a perfect spot to "craft wines of uncompromising quality that would stand out alongside the finest in the world". They found their dream spot in Wairarapa and it seems they have achieved what they set out to do. Th
Marcel Giesen & Sherwyn Veldhuizen founded Bell Hill back in 1997 when they came across a unique north facing piece of land, shaped like a bell... This Northern Canterbury area is full of limestone which is the reason the couple chose this area – perfect for producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the Burgundian style. February 2022 they are celebrating 25 years at Bell Hill, as well as their silver wedding, and Sherwyn says “time has just flown by”. They hold their wines back for several years bef
Chris Archer is the co-owner and co-founder of JOIY - a New Zealand-based wine company specialising in canned wine. Chris talks about pioneering and trying to change consumers' and the wine industry's perception of cans! Most of the wine is exported and it hasn't been an easy journey, but Chris - who runs and owns the company with his wife, Cath Archer, loves what he does - as does the critiques as several of JOIY's wines have won prestigious awards!
In the first episode of 2022 Kirsten is joined by Ata Rangi's head winemaker Helen Masters. At Ata Rangi they celebrated their 40th anniversary in 2021 and Helen talks about their succes, about being organic, finding the best distributors around the world and what makes Pinot Noir from Martinborough slightly different from Pinot Noir from other New Zealand regions. Helen has been with the company since 2003, loves her job making top-notch wine but also her side gig as a wall paper designer... H
Kirsten is wishing everyone a HAPPY New Year with this show playing snippets from some of the 25 shows that aired earlier in 2021. Listen or re-listen to some of New Zealand's great winemakers talking about their craft, their wines etc.
Kirsten is joined by Duncan Forsyth from Mount Edward winery in Central Otago - a colourful winemaker loving life and regularly taking on new challenges. And along the way raising a few eyebrows. Curtis Marsh, a sommelier and very funny wine writer – also known under the name Wandering Palate, says: "Duncan Forsyth belongs to a wild fermenting gaggle of Central Otago vignerons that have evolved like a Band of Brothers; all to a varying degree they are recalcitrant, insubordinate, revolutionist, ingenious, jocular and witty but in the Neo-Darwinism of the New Zealand wine industry, they are the dynamic – the avant-garde." Duncan reflects on the description and dives into explaning what Central Otago is all about - the wines, the Terrôir, the subregions etc. In 2019, his peers in the Central Otago Winegrowers Association honoured Duncan with the Outstanding Services Award, for “special contribution over many years... for the greater good of the wider industry.”
Kirsten is joined by Valley and Gary Neale of Brightwater Vineyards in Nelson - a premium boutique vineyard and winery established in the early nineties, when the couple returned to New Zealand after many years abroad. The couple has together with their small staff developed an award winning reputation for premium, hand-crafted wines. They talk about the challenge of living and working together, about making a dream come true and about being one of Nelson's premium boutique wineries with a faithful following.
The New Zealand world of wine is full of colourful people who are all passionate about their craft. Kirsten is joined by Celia Hay who has always been fascinated by flavoursome food, international cuisines, fine wine and the art of hospitality - which led her to establish Hay's Restaurant in 1994 and the New Zealand School of Food and Wine in 1995, both in Christchurch. The 2010 and 2011 earth quakes in Christchurch forced her to close her restaurant and she subsequently moved her school to Auckland. Celia grew up on the Inveralloch farm in Pigeon Bay, Banks Peninsula, which has been in the Hay family since 1843. Drawing on her experience as a chef and restaurateur Celia has been able to develop a range of comprehensive New Zealand Qualifications Authority programmes and short courses to reflect the growing skills needed by hospitality businesses. Meet Celia Hay - an innovative food and wine lover with a zest for quality and the good life.
The New Zealand world of wine is full of colourful people who are all passionate about their craft. Guest this week: Michael Brajkovich Kirsten talks to Michael Brajkovich from Kumeu River Wines near Auckland. This iconic and awardwinning winery was founded by Michael's grandfather and father back in 1944. Today, the winery is regarded as one of New Zealand's top wineries, especially when it comes to Chardonnay. Michael covers the family history, his personal career, the success of the winery, and why he was instrumental in persuading the NZ wine industry to using screw caps instead of corks.
Kirsten is joined by Erica Crawford from Loveblock Wine in Marlborough's Awatere Vallery, a company she founded with her husband - legendary winemaker Kim Crawford. Before establishing LOVEBLOCK, Erica and Kim started "Kim Crawford Wines" in 1996. They had plenty of vision but no money, so they built a "virtual winery" out of the back room of their Auckland home. It was an innovative approach at the time, with Kim buying grapes from contract growers and making wine in leased facilities, allowing them to avoid huge outlays for land, vines and equipment. The company became a huge success especially in the US. Kim and Erica left "Kim Crawford" in 2007, and several years later the organically farmed LOVEBLOCK was a reality. Erica is originally from South Africa and also talks about her background and how she met Kim - her husband and business partner.
The New Zealand world of wine is full of colourful people who are all passionate about their craft. Topics discussed include: Kirsten is joined by Steve Smith - Master of Wine and iconic Kiwi viticulturist. He was instrumental in helping the founders of Craggy Range Winery set up this world-famous New Zealand winery, and now he co-owns Smith & Sheth which is behind the label CRU, a Hawke's Bay based top end label. The company also owns the famous Pyramid Valley winery in Waipara. Thus, there is lots to talk about with mr. Smith. So tune in.
Kirsten is joined by Jean Christophe Poizat from Auckland-based Maison Vauron - a French wine shop established in 1999. Jean Christophe, or JC, tells his personal story of how he came to New Zealand, why he has stayed and what he thinks of NZ wine compared to French wine. JC is passionate about wine and says it "is not just a passion but a way of life...". A fun interview with lots of insights into the world of both French and NZ wine.
Kirsten is joined by Jenny Dobson - a legend in the New Zealand wine industry. Back in the late 1970s she had a degree in chemistry and "a thing for aromas"... and she was intrigued by wine. She decided to learn from the best and went to France where she not only learnt French, became a very skilled and knowledgable winemaker - she also met Englishman Charles and had three children with him. In the 1990s, after 15 years in France, it was time to return to the Southern Hemisphere and eventually Jenny and her family settled in Hawke's Bay. She has worked for a number of great wineries and since 2015 she has focused on her own boutique label making great reds and FIANO! An Italian grape that has been around for way over 1000 years and is the perfect food wine. We talk about her success, her status, her views on climate change, the New Zealand wine industry and much more.