February News

Hello everyone,

On Monday 17 February, we will kick off our Monday tasting programme and we are on a membership drive to bring more people into our community.

On Monday, we start with a visit to The Wine Room by David Nash who will be pouring some of his wines while we have a toast to Angela Allen who sadly is returning to Canada in March. You are welcome to bring a wine or bartending friend who you think may be keen to join our community. Register here.

On February 24, Olivia Doonan from Tupari wine will present at our Monday tasting at 4pm. Register here. To get more up to date information on upcoming tastings you can join our What'sApp Chat.

Sommelier Edit

This is a initiative led in New Zealand by Cameron Douglas MS to promote people who work with wine and other beverages and continue to build a comprehensive professional network. You can nominate someone or nominate yourself to be on a list of wine and beverage influences. Click here to find out more.

Gene Editing GMO Bill before Parliament

You may not be aware, but there is a bill to allow genetically modified organisms to be developed in New Zealand. This includes medical uses but also will allow gene-editing of plants including grape vines, animals and foods.

I am deeply concerned about the consequences of such a significant change which will permeate through so much of the international image and marketing thrust of Brand New Zealand. I have put together a webpage which links to the important documents.  The public submissions process closes on Monday 17 February (next Monday). Read more here

D'Urville and Busby's Wine

As some of you know, I am at heart an historian and storyteller. With Waitangi Day behind us and PinotNZ this week, I have shared the story of the French explorer and naval officer, Jules Dumont d'Urville. 

You may know him as the namesake of Durville Island in Marlborough Sounds? D'Urville visited Aotearoa times between 1824-1840 and recorded in his journal drinking wine made James Busby, co-author of Te Tiriti and grape grower ofWaitangi. Read my blog.

ASI Singapore Bootcamp Applications

In 2025, ASI Associations of Sommeliers will host the ASI Bootcamp, a training opportunity for 3 sommeliers from each Asia Pacific member country, to meet inSingapore for an intensive and inspirational programme from June 30 - July 3rd.

Participants must pay a fee and our association will meet 50% of the travel costs. It is an incredible opportunity and only happens every 3 - 4 years.

In 2022 Suraj, Angela and Jessica Wood from Noble Rot in Wellington travelled to Malaysia and found it an enormously stimulating opportunity to develop their skills, beverage knowledge and personal network.

We will be calling for applications in March 2025.

Another key date our competition on Sunday 27 July and the ASI Best Sommelier of Asia Pacific to be held from September 7-11, 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This year, one sommelier will be selected to attend. This competition will also involve a selection process following our NZ Sommelier Competition. This candidate will go on to the ASI Best Sommelier of the World 2026 in Portugal.

Lots to look forward to.

With best wishes,

Celia Hay