Andy and I have just been around New Zealand with the Negociants New Zealand team on their annual trade tour. We think they’re the best distributor in the country – biased? Of course! But they have the most amazing group of wineries in their New Zealand portfolio and on this tour we were also joined by some buddies from across the ditch! On the tour we were travelling with the likes of Two Paddocks (owned by the charming Sam Neill who took some time off Hollywood activities to pour wines on the tour), Rippon, Alpha Domus, Vinoptima, Palliser, Fromm, Greywacke, Nautilus, and Saint Clair to name a few. And from Australia, the wineries joining us this tour were Vasse Felix, Jim Barry Wines, Henschke, Yalumba, D’Arenberg etc. With a stellar line-up like that, it’s no wonder we had an amazing turn out of trade customers in each city!

The trade events were held in some fab places this year – the Royal NZ Yacht Squadron in Auckland, the Otago Golf Club in Dunedin (spectacular views of the golf course), and The George in Christchurch (where he had less of a trade event and more of a group ‘hug-in’ to let our Christchurch friends’ feel the love’ after their traumas.) Andy and I headed back home after Christchurch along with our friends from Two Paddocks and Rippon since flights out of Christchurch were cancelled due to the ash cloud from the erupting Chilean volcano. But Olly, our guru winemaker, was in charge for the Wellington leg of the trip which was held at the InterContinental Hotel and he also did the Pinot Noir Masterclass. (You can read a review from Raymond Chan about that here http://www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz/blog/pinot-noir-masterclass-negociants-nz-roadshow.

What’s really nice about doing these roadshows is the ability to meet with so many of the restaurants and wine retailers that have chosen to serve and sell our wines. It’s also a great opportunity too show our wines and tell the story of Misha’s Vineyard to those who don’t know us yet. We had so many wonderful customers come and say hi – thanks to all of you who did!

The best thing though about being on tour is the feeling of camaraderie that we share as a portfolio of wine brands under the Negociants NZ banner. It really is an organization with a family feel – everyone is just so nice and it’s so much fun being on the road as a team. It’s only our second year on the Negociants national tour but it’s something we love doing and we’re already looking forward to next year’s tour!

After a week like that, it just makes me think…I really love my job!