I’m excited to see Montana back on the shelves here in New Zealand. Although I wasn’t brought up with this iconic kiwi wine brand which was originally founded in 1934, I certainly remember the public outcry when it had to take a step back for Brancott Estate in 2010.
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Having worked in wine market research for a while I certainly appreciate an insightful and easy to understand data graphic and the hard work that goes into those.
That’s why I reached out to Rachel when one of her wine graphics popped-up in our Instagram feed to find out more about her wine and data passion and how she’s become “The Wine Nerd”.
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Like most talented content creators, Sarah is usually the one behind the camera, phone or screen, crafting engaging content to promote New Zealand wine worldwide.
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Today, we’d love to introduce to another passionate woman in wine, talented landscape photographer and Waiheke resident, Kate Mandeno.
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Today we’d love to introduce you to another inspiring and energetic woman in wine that’s worth watching: Zoë Ladyman, Domestic and International Sales Manager for Akarua Wines in Central Otago.
Find out more about her role and love affair with wine in the following Q&A:
What does a typical working day look like for you?
So varied! Lots of talking, tasting and spreading the good word of Akarua – whether I’m hosting visitors to the winery, out in our local region visiting our restaurant and retail customers; away in Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch working with our local distributor, or off overseas visiting our importers and buyers.
Or I could be at my desk managing my budgets, forecasts and inbox…
When and why did you fall in love with wine?
When I first moved to Melbourne when I was 22 (I was born in Perth), got a waitressing job at a wonderful restaurant with a rich wine culture, started to learn about food and wine matching and took some courses with the Australian Sommelier’s Association – I fell straight down the rabbit hole and I’ve been falling ever since.
If you were a wine, what wine would you be?
Really depends on the mood I’m in, the people I’m with, and what I’m eating. Today I’m Cru Beaujolais – let’s call it 2017 Domaine de la Grand’Cour Fleurie.
What’s your go-to wine at the moment?
Textural savoury whites and bright, crunchy reds. We’ve just released a single vineyard pinot noir from our 25 steps vineyard in Pisa – I’ve been enjoying that a lot lately!
Share a fact about yourself that only a few know
I half completed a physiotherapy degree – I dropped out before they could fail me. I did pass the massage component!
Things you still want to do – what’s on your bucket list?
Gosh so many things, join a choir, travel to all the tennis grand slams in a year, get dropped off by a helicopter at the top of a mountain and snowboard down, eat at Per Se in NYC, watch my children get married, hike the Routeburn…
Dead or alive, who would you like to share a glass of vino with?
Celeste Barber
Find out more about Zoë’s work at Akarua here and make sure you follow them on Instagram | Facebook & Twitter.
Today is International Women’s Day and we’re keen to get amongst it by sharing some of our most popular Q&A’s with women in the New Zealand wine industry with you.
We’ve asked 4 women in various areas of the wine trade what it means to them to be a “woman in wine” in New Zealand.
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Erica, a South African medical scientist graduate, met Kim, the kiwi winemaker. They fell in love and together built one of the most successful global wine brands. They’re about to do it all over again … but wait, this time it’s a bit different!
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