Wine writer, author and journalist
Wine writer, journalist and author, I worked at ACP Media (the largest magazine company in Aotearoa New Zealand at the time) in Auckland between 1997 and 2008, contributing to many magazines in this stable on both sides of the Tasman.
Former weekly wine writer for The New Zealand Herald, The Post, the Christchurch Press, Waikato Times, Capital Times, Capital magazine and other publications, including editing (and now contributing to) Drinkzbiz magazine (NZ).
I have written 15 books about wine in New Zealand, all published by New Holland NZ and HarperCollins.
Teacher of Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) and the New Zealand Qualifications Authority's Certificate in Wine at the New Zealand School of Food &^ Wine.
I have the WSET Diploma.
My work is independent, approachable and informed.
I have won several awards for my writing, including, among others, Best Wine Guide in the World (English speaking) 2003 for Joelle Thomson's Under $15 Wine Guide (New Holland publishers).
Meet Joelle
Wine and words are close to my heart and this website brings both together to write mostly about wine and its compelling blend of geography, history, taste, flavour and the people who find it as fascinating to make as I do to write about.
I wrote my first wine column in 1994 and have since studied wine, judged at wine and food shows, taught wine qualifications and written extensively about it.
Best of... stories about great wines
News from the world of wine
"In victory I deserve it, in defeat I need it"
March 7th 2026Winston Churchill famously consumed a bottle of Champagne Pol-Roger every day throughout World War II, which is sometimes hard to believe, given the scarcity of availability of champagne during theRead moreBest of the West - Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon
March 3rd 2026Driving south through the burnished red landscape and relative lushness of Perth city to its nearest and dearest wine region - Margaret River - is a feast for the eyes and the tastebuds. I returnedRead moreVintage comes early to NZ 2026
March 2nd 2026Harvest is underway and about to begin across New Zealand’s wine regions as the industry prepares for the 2026 vintage, which is shaping up to be the earliest one yet, says New Zealand Winegrowers.Read moreWill the real low alc' wine please stand up
March 1st 2026"You have to be a mountain goat to work on these slopes," said Dr Ernst Loosen when speaking to a packed room of wine devotees in Wellington last month. Dr Loosen (as the winemaker and hisRead moreLooking Back at Kiwi Pinot Noir
February 25th 2026This article was first published on TimAtkin.com on 18 February 2026 Read this and other stories on Tim's website here. New Zealand winemakers have blazed a trail across the global white wineRead moreQue Syrah Syrah - new plantings destined in Martinborough
February 21st 2026Nga Waka Winery has purchased the Lismore Vineyard on the Martinborough Terraces, stony ground in the heart of one of New Zealand's smallest wine regions - the Wairarapa. Nga Waka winery announcedRead moreWhitehaven Marlborough Wine - new releases
January 25th 2026Whitehaven Marlborough Wines is a large winery with a firm focus on Sauvignon Blanc. It was founded by Sue and (the late) Greg White in the 1990s. This week the winery released three new wines thisRead moreWine of the week - 2025 Mason Rosé
January 24th 2026Wine of the week 2025 Mason Rosé RRP $36 This Martinborough rosé elevates the category of pink wine to another level with its rare dry taste. It's made entirely from Pinot Noir, which often sportsRead moreA wine Odyssey with Rebecca Salmond
January 19th 2026Rebecca Salmond's wine journey is encapsulated in her brand name, Odyssey Wines, which she created 32 years with small volumes of New Zealand wines made from grapes grown in Marlborough andRead moreBest of the new summer Sauvignon Blancs
January 16th 2026If you're familiar with Sauvignon Blanc, it's easy to conjure up the powerful tropical fruit aromas and pungent green herb taste of Marlborough in the glass but tasting through the newest releases thRead moreWriting
I have been writing about wine since 1994 when I began a monthly series of wine columns in Capital Times arts weekly in Wellington; the capital city of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Tastings host
My aim is to make learning about wine an enjoyable journey. Join me to deepen your wine knowledge and savour each moment.
Presenter
I present wine tastings in an accessible, engaging style with humour and depth - for both serious tastings to fun, informal wine tasting events.
Every sip tells a story.
Joelle Thomson... Savouring and shaping meaningful narratives about wine.
Email: mailme@joellethomson.com



















