The Blind Tasting - Arrival times

The next Blind Tasting will be held in November 2025.

The Blind Tasting is the internal selection tasting from which all wines that are poured in levy-funded NZW educational activities are selected.

The tasting is currently led by Emma Jenkins MW, and is conducted under standard competition rules. However, the objective of The Blind Tasting differs from other such tastings in that the purpose is not to award medals and trophies. Instead, wines are tasted and scored based on their individual quality, and the story they tell for New Zealand wine. Regional representation also forms a critical part of the selection tasting.

Approximately 1,000 wines are tasted at The Blind Tasting annually, in varietal, regional, and stylistic (where relevant) classes. The wines are tasted by panels of three, spanning production (winemaking and viticulture) and non-production (distribution, on-premise, off-premise, sales/marketing, media and education).

From 2026, Jane Skilton MW will chair the Blind Tasting.

2025 Team

EMMA JENKINS MW - HEAD PANELLIST

2025 Panellists

Alex Perez – Head Winemaker - Tantalus Estate, Waiheke Island
Andrea Martinisi – Sommelier - Normanby Fine Wines & Spirits, Auckland
Ashton Hendriks – Head Winemaker - Cable Bay, Waiheke Island/Marlborough
Cameron Douglas MS – Beverage Director - The Lodge Bar at Rodd & Gunn, Auckland, Queenstown, Brisbane, Melbourne
Dave Roper – Group Winemaker - Indevin, Marlborough/Hawke's Bay/Gisborne
Dom Maxwell – Winemaker - Greystone & Muddy Water, North Canterbury
Flo Bouda – Group Liaison Winemaker - Delegat's, Marlborough/Hawke's Bay
Greg Allinson – Viticulture Supervisor - Craggy Range, Hawke’s Bay/Wairarapa
Hiro Kawahara – Founder - Somm Cellars Consultancy, Auckland
Ina Yoon – Founder - The New Zealand Wine Boutique, Auckland
James Rowan – Winemaker - Westbrook, West Auckland/Marlborough
Jane Skilton MW – Founder - The New Zealand School of Wines & Spirits, Auckland
Jannine Rickards – Winemaker & Director - Huntress, Wairarapa
Jen Parr – Winemaker - Valli, Central Otago/Waitaki Valley
Jordan Robinson –  Winemaker - Sacred Hill, Hawke's Bay/Marlborough
Josh Pointon – Sales: Wellington, Wairarapa, Hawke's Bay - red + white cellar, Wellington-based
JP Henderson – Owner - Salty Pidgin, Wellington
Kathrin Jankowiec – Technical Sales Representative - Kauri Wine Supplies, Marlborough-based
Martyn Norris – Category Manager: Liquor, Beverages & Tobacco - Foodstuffs (Gilmours), Auckland-based
Michael Henley MW – Founder - Cellar 495, Hawke’s Bay
Michael Turner – Wine Judge - Cuisine, Northland-based
Murray Cook – Winemaker - Dog Point, Marlborough
Natalie Christensen – Chief Winemaker - Seaview Estate, Marlborough
Paul Stringer – Wine Category Manager - Moore Wilson, Wellington
Pete Turner – Marlborough & Waiheke Winemaker - SOHO
Richelle Tyney – Winemaker - Greywacke
Rebecca Deed – Lecturer in Wine Science - Auckland University, Auckland
Simon Nunns – Consultant Winemaker - Auckland-based
Trudy Sheild – Winemaker/Proprietor - Drinks Cabinet, Nelson
Zoe Kane –  Dicey, Central Otago