The Maretti Italia range continues to evolve under the guidance of Corey Ryan, who was visiting New Zealand earlier this month when he took the time to taste through new wines from his Sons of Eden range - and two other new ranges of wines. These include a new IGP tier, which joins the traditional DOCG offerings from Maretti. The DOCG wes are made and bottled in Italy while the new IGP wines are shipped as finished wines and bottled in Australia—an approach that maintains freshness and vintage integrity, as the following light bodied wines reveal. 

It's always a pleasure to taste with Corey, who I have known for a couple of decades from when he worked at Villa Maria Wines for a decade. 

My tasting notes

16.5/20
Maretti Italia Sparkling Pinot Grigio Pavia IGP RRP $25.99
With 5g/L residual sugar, this sparkling white tastes drier than expected. It is light bodied, exceptionally clean, and refreshingly crisp—ideal for aperitivo hour.

16.5/20
2024 Maretti Italia Pinot Grigio Pavia IGT RRP $25.99
This dry, crisp white is a light bodied expression of Pinot Grigio with 4g/L RS, making it a textbook example of clean, young, fresh Grigio – with purity and finesse.

17.5/20
2024 Maretti Italia Rosé Pavia IGT RRP $25.99
A very welcome addition to the rosé range available in New Zealand; a dry blend of both red and white grape varieties, along with classic Italian Sangiovese as well as French Cabernet Sauvignon – and, of course, the perennially popular Pinot Grigio.
Aromas of summer berries bring freshness to this light bodied dry Italian rosé.

Launching end of October 2025, the Maretti Italia IGP wines will be available in retail and for the on-premise trade.
Sealed with screwcaps. Trade price $15.90 | RRP $25.99

Bento is a new range that launches late this month (October 2025) and is made with Japanese food in mind. The lineup includes Pinot Grigio, Grenache, Pinot Noir, and Rosé, all priced at RRP $22.99.

17.5/20
2025 Bento Pinot Grigio Limestone Coast, Mt Benson RRP $22.99
Grown near the coastal township of Robe, this wine leans toward a Gris-like profile with bright pear aromas and vibrant fruit. A touch of skin contact (24 hours) adds texture. Bone dry (0.5g RS) with a firm, dry finish.

18.5/20
2025 Bento Grenache McLaren Vale RRP $22.99
Deliciously crisp, freshness shines through in this red, which immediately tastes like it has potential to be a chillable red, though it is not marketed as such. Just three months old, it bursts with Australian red cherry character. Post-ferment maturation in 3,000–4,000L vats with malolactic fermentation brings bright, freshness to this wine.

Sons of Eden – new releases

Corey Ryan’s Eden Valley label continues to impress with its classic Freya Riesling and a stable of regeneration focused wines under the East of Eden banner.

17.5/20
2025 Sons of Eden Freya Riesling Eden Valley RRP $35.99
Austere and youthful post ferment flavours make this dry Riesling (2g RS) a keeper. Its immediate appeal shows classic lemon and lime notes.
It was made from grapes grown on vineyards in high Eden Valley and two warmer sites near Eden Valley township. This wine balances freshness with ageability (20+ years). Acid sits near 7, pH at 3. Corey’s favourite vintages to date: 2016 and 2024, both marked by long, dry summers and a touch of helpful spring rain.

18/20
2024 Sons of Eden East of Eden Shiraz Barossa Valley RRP $29.99
Part of the regeneration range, this Shiraz is grown in vineyards undergoing soil revitalisation. Organic in approach (without certification), the wine is smooth, 
chocolatey and complex, a beautifully full, smooth wine to enjoy now, with a focus on microclimate health and minimal input viticulture. 

18.5/20
2023 Sons of Eden Kennedy GSM Barossa Valley RRP $35.99
A perennial favourite in New Zealand, especially on-premise. This Grenache-led blend (46% Grenache, ~30% Shiraz, ~20% Mourvèdre) is beautifully balanced and shines an extremely favourable light on Australia’s Mediterranean-style of climate to produce fleshy, complex red blends from classic southern French grape varieties. This is delicious – and has ageing potential for eight to nine years.

18.5/20
2024 Sons of Eden Pumpa Cabernet Sauvignon Eden Valley RRP $35.99
A blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Shiraz, this wine is deep ruby with minty aromatics, firm tannins and spiced dark fruit. An incredibly popular part of the Sons of Eden.

19/20
2022 Sons of Eden Zephyrus Shiraz Barossa Valley RRP $59.99
Considered the best value wine in the Sons of Eden portfolio, Zephyrus benefits 
from the cascade of fruit from flagship wines Romulus and Remus. This is a structural blend of Eden and Barossa fruit (typically 60/40 or 50/50). It is approachable and ageworthy. Deep purple, with firm tannins and dark fruit. 
The 2022 vintage was marked by a long, dry summer—ideal conditions.

Romulus & Remus – Old Vine Icons

These flagship wines showcase the contrast between Eden Valley and Barossa 
Valley terroir using old vine Shiraz as the lens. Corey Ryan applies Pinot Noir 
techniques—learned during his decade at Villa Maria Wines in New Zealand - to Barossa Shiraz: hand plunging, minimal pumpovers, pressing to barrel on 
gross lees, and 18 months in oak with no racking. The result is minimal handling and maximum fruit integrity.

19/20
2022 Sons of Eden Remus Shiraz Eden Valley RRP $89.99
Sourced from three dry-grown vineyards aged 80 to 105 years, Remus is an impressive, full bodied, full fruited expression of South Australia’s vineyards and the Shiraz grapes. It’s made from grapes picked four weeks later than Romulus. 
Eden Valley’s east-facing aspect contributes to its elegance and restraint.

18.5/20
2022 Sons of Eden Romulus Shiraz Barossa Valley RRP $89.99
Westfacing vineyards soak up the afternoon sun, resulting in a bigger, juicier 
Shiraz - Romulus is bold yet balanced, a powerful counterpoint to Remus.