2018 Pinot Noir

Philadelphia boy Daniel Brennan set up his own wine company after moving to New Zealand in the late Noughties to study winemaking. Coming from a Sicilian family that has owned a restaurant since the early 1900s (Brennan’s brother still runs it), he developed his love of wine through hospitality. That said, he also has background in managing a rock band. He now makes wine to his own beat, particularly under the Guinta label, whether it's less planted varieties like Chenin Blanc or less conventional (for New Zealand) styles like his Malbec Nouveau. He has three labels: Guinta, the surname of his Sicilian grandmother, offers approachable early-drinking styles. Decibel is his main range, sourced mainly from Hawke's Bay, where he now resides with his Italian partner and Kiwi-born daughter. He also produces Pinot Noir from Martinborough, which is perhaps the most refined of all his wines thus far. His flagship label, Testify, is only produced when he deems the wine to be good enough. Brennan does not stand still, and there continues to be refinement and experimentation every year, so this is a movable feast.