Pinot Noir NZ
Venita Simcox has come a long way since she tried her first red wine – a 1982 Château Margaux – and hated it.
I'm really looking forward to... a well-overdue Pinot Noir party! This event has been years in the making. A strong foundation was laid by the 2021 Pinot Bunch committee, before a pandemic got in the way. Now the 2025 Bunch is carrying the Pinot Noir torch and committed to putting on a world-class event that shows New Zealand Pinot Noir in all its glory.
Our committee is... chomping at the bit to host 80-odd New Zealand Pinot producers and the who's who of the wine world in Ōtautahi. The programme for the conference is looking super-exciting. We have a great mix of international speakers and local heroes on board to share their stories and evoke all our senses on the uniqueness of New Zealand Pinot Noir. The themes we cover over the three days are Turangawaewae, Kaitiakitanga, and A Mua; our place, how we care for our land, and our future.
You have to try Pinot Noir matche with... truffle-infused baked camembert cheese! Tis the season for truffles. The earthy, warm spiciness of the truffle and the creaminess of the cheese is a 10/10 match with Pinot Noir. For maximum pleasure ensure the Pinot has a bit of age on it and you're sitting in front of a roaring fire at the Cardrona Hotel after a day up the slopes. That's a very specific pairing but one you won't regret!
When I think of New Zealand Pinot Noir I think of... The energy of our place, our unique natural environment and how truly transparent this can be expressed in a glass of New Zealand Pinot Noir.
One thing you should know about me is... I'm unapologetically obsessed with wine; specifically Pinot Noir. Chardonnay is a very close second. Maybe second-equal with Riesling. It's a tight call; a dilemma I am happy to take my time (maybe my lifetime) to resolve.
