Winemaker at Peregrine since 2010, Nadine brings experience from France, California and Marlborough to the unique climate of Central Otago. Lured into winemaking by the combination of environment, travel, food and wine, it's a job she loves doing every day – and in one of the most beautiful wine regions in the world. For Nadine, winemaking is about learning: being observant and quality focused in order to let the land and environment speak through the wine, while helping lead a top-flight wine-making team.
What does your own wine cellar look like and what is your most recent addition?
“About 300 – not at all organised so it is often a lucky dip! Most recent purchase was a Querciabella Chianti.”
In the last 12 months, which grape have you drunk the most of?
“Pinot Noir.”
In the last 12 months, what’s the most exciting region you’ve discovered or re-discovered?
“Sicily, and dreaming of being able to visit there one day!”
What has been your most memorable wine and food moment?
“I’ve been lucky enough to travel the world and eat at some amazing restaurants, but it’s always the simplest freshest local ingredients and subtle elegant wines with a sense of place that are the most memorable for me.
Always memorable for flavour and laughs is our family Christmas where we only have what we have grown, caught or made ourselves, luckily we have farms, orchards, gardeners, white baiters and winemakers in the family! (and many Ottolenghi cookbooks!)”
Wine styles continue to fluctuate. Where do you think the wine-style pendulum is swinging?
“Definitely to more elegant pretty wines across all varieties.”
What do you enjoy most about judging at the NWWA?
“Catching up with other judges and being reminded that NZ makes lots of incredible wines for great value.”
