Roving Sommelier is passionate about premium quality regional New Zealand wines. Award-winning sommelier and owner of Roving Sommelier Wines, Robert Giorgione is also a New Zealand Brand Ambassador and is very enthusiastic about the New Zealand vineyards that he represents.

Owned by the Rose family and established in the early 1990s, Wairau River Wines have established a good international reputation for their honest Marlborough wines. The Rose family have been involved in grape growing since the 1970s and some of their oldest vines, date back to those early pioneering days. Located on the famous Rapaura Road, I fondly remember visiting Wairau River and their eponymous family-run restaurant and cellar door in May 2014, when I spent two and a half months travelling around New Zealand after my mum sadly passed away. For me, New Zealand has always been a special place and it was wonderful to spend some time visiting and re-visiting old friends, including spending two weeks in Marlborough. Much has changed over the years, especially in Marlborough, as well as other regions. But it’s always great when the old stalwarts of the New Zealand wine industry still carry on in their own way in pursuit of producing wines of great character.

The Rose family has been planting vines along the Wairau River since 1978, shaping wines from the beginning. Because they believe that exceptional wine and food should be an everyday experience, each vintage the winemakers select outstanding parcels of fruit for the Reserve Range, showcasing the unique style of each varietal.

Predominantly made from the Rose family’s Home Vineyard (planted in 1978), this red wine has concentrated aromas of dark fruits alongside elegant floral notes of violets. The palate is beautifully structured with rich dark fruit concentration and fine integrated tannins. Bottled unfined and unfiltered some natural sediment may occur. Although this elegant single vineyard Pinot Noir is approachable now, it will cellar for up to ten years.

Best served at room temperature and in a convivial atmosphere.