paul recommends
Vineyards and Venues
vineyards to visit
Over the years, I’ve been lucky enough to visit, work with and discover some brilliant vineyards, venues and producers.
From local favourites around Essex to standout spots from across the world, these are the places I’d recommend for a good glass, a great visit or a proper wine experience.
New Zealand
Kevin Judd - Greywacke - Marlborough, New Zealand
For me Kevin Judd is a total rockstar in the wine industry, Kevin Judd was born in England and grew up in Australia. He studied oenology at Roseworthy Agricultural College in Adelaide. In 1984, after three years of employment in New Zealand, he met David Hohnen, who wanted Kevin to be his winemaker for a newly formed company. Cloudy Bay was that business, and the rest, they say, is history. Now producing world class wines under his own label ‘Greywacke’ for me his top notch pinot noir and rieslings are outstanding. I was lucky enough to be invited to the winery for a tour and wine lunch in 2024 and it was definitely one of the highlights on the trip. Check out Kevins wines here greywacke.com
Natalie Christensen - Yealands - Marlborough, New Zealand
Chief Winemaker Natalie Christensen’s unique style has seen Yealands achieve global recognition for its outstanding wines, from Pinot Noir to its internationally noted Sauvignon Blanc. Accolades include 12 medals and a trophy at the 2023 International Wine Challenge – where Natalie herself has become the first New Zealander in 15 years to win White Winemaker of the Year, a huge testament to her ability. My standout wine is definitely Natalie's Albariño, Excellent aromatics with scents of peaches and citrus, a fine lees complexity and flowers. Check out Natalies wines here http://yealands.co.nz
Anna & Jason Flowerday - Te Whare ra (TWr), Marlborough - New Zealand
Te Whare Ra (TWR) is a small vineyard and winery located in the Marlborough sub-region of Renwick, owned by winemakers – Anna & Jason Flowerday. The 11 Ha vineyard is one of the oldest in Marlborough and is Certified Organic. Anna and Jason are 2 young (ish) winemakers – one from Australia and one from New Zealand and they have owned and run Te Whare Ra since 2003. Together they have taken Te Whare Ra to new heights and won many awards for their wines and their efforts in organic farming, amongst those many achievements they have also produced two sets of twin girls For me their Classic Sauvignon blanc is world class along with the Pinot Gris and Riesling as some of my favourites Check out Anna & Jason’s wines here twrwines.co.nz
matt wilson
Photographer
Matt Wilson is one of the top wine photographers in the industry and I was lucky enough to spend some time with him in Margaret River Australia 2025
Huge thank you to Matt for some of the photos used on this website, check this guy out he’s a master in the trade!
