Blackenbrook's Gewürztraminer is all kinds of extra, in the best way. It opens with a big perfumed hug of lychee, melon and exotic spice, all wrapped up in a musky little whisper of smoke. On the palate? Textured, broad, and juicy - not sweet, just confidently ripe. It's got weight without heaviness, perfume without fuss, and is seriously great value for a wine that walks the tightrope of indulgence and elegance like a pro. Basically: it slaps.

Tucked away in the sun-drenched hills of Nelson, just a scenic hop over Mount Richmond from Marlborough, Blackenbrook is what happens when a Swiss winemaker and a New Zealand dream collide - and the result is delicious. Run by the Schwarzenbach family, this small-but-mighty vineyard is all about hands-on winemaking, minimal intervention, and max flavour. The vines? Lovingly planted by the fam. The winery? Custom-built into a hillside for gravity-fed gentleness and eco-vibes. The wines? Award-winning, vegan-friendly, and tasting like the landscape itself - wild, beautiful, and just a little bit rebellious. Since planting their first vine in 2001, Daniel and Ursula Schwarzenbach have been doing things their own way. Think Alsace varietals like Pinot Blanc and Gewürztraminer, a dash of Pinot Noir and Montepulciano for flair, and a refreshing refusal to be another cookie-cutter Sauvignon Blanc producer. Every drop of Blackenbrook wine tells a story - of coastal breezes, Moutere clay, sustainable farming, and good old-fashioned family hustle. So yeah, you could say they’re boutique, but don’t confuse that with boring. This is wine with a pulse, a purpose, and a playlist.