Jannine Rickards has forged a close relationship with nature since childhood, growing up on a farm in the Coromandel where she felt the inextricable connection to the land that defines her philosophy in food and wine today. 

The creation of the brand Huntress Wines in 2017 furthers her resolve to express that connection in both the bottle and the bounty of her hunting - when precious time allows, but that's another story. 

This week, Jannine popped over one sunny afternoon to taste her two latest wines with yours truly. It's always a privilege to taste with insightful winemakers such as Jannine. Our conversations take many turns and always come back to wine, peppered with insightful diversions in between. 

Here are my reviews of the two newest additions to the evocatively named Huntress Wines.

New Huntress wines

18.5/20
2024 Huntress Chardonnay Turama RRP $55

Turama is te reo Māori for illuminate or glow - a fitting name for this vibrant new Chardonnay, each weighty sip of which evokes sunshine and light in the glass. Fresh, creamy, smooth and full bodied, this wine captures freshness and aromas of dried white peach and macadamias with a subtle hint of slivered almonds. It is made from hand picked grapes grown on Oak Estate's certified organic vineyard, situated in the Bridge Pa Triangle in Hawke's Bay.  Wild yeast fermented, it spent 10 months in oak with full malolactic fermentation to soften the wine's natural acidity. It was bottled unfiltered and unlined. Two and a half barrels were made.

"I decided to work with their Chardonnay in 2024; there's a richness that comes from this site that you don't get from further inland - I like both styles of Chardonnay I made but I also enjoy working with this fruit."

17.5/20
2023 Huntress Kuratea Wairarapa RRP $35

Skin fermented Pinot Gris makes up 45% of this wine along with 41% of carbonic Pinot Noir, which adds a fruity lift and lushness to this wine with 14% Syrah bringing a touch of structure.

There's a whiff of candied spice and a dry taste running through the palate of this medium bodied, light ruby hued blend. Drink it at the same temperature as you would Chardonnay - lightly chilled. 

Learn more about the Huntress story here.

Huntress wines are distributed in Aotearoa New Zealand by The Last Drop.