In this episode of 5 Questions, we sit down with Charlotte Read, GM of Brand at New Zealand Winegrowers, the national organization representing more than 1,400 growers and wineries across the country.

Charlotte shares what’s exciting her most in wine right now (spoiler: Pinot Noir by the fire), highlights underrated New Zealand wine regions like Nelson, Waiheke Island, and Gisborne, and discusses how packaging innovation could reshape the future of wine consumption. We also dive into her most memorable wine experiences from traveling across the globe, from India to Thailand—always through the lens of New Zealand’s premium winemaking identity.

Whether you're a casual enthusiast or seasoned collector, this quick conversation offers a glimpse into the evolving story of New Zealand wine on the world stage.

Listen in to discover:

• Charlotte’s current go-to wine and perfect pairing
• Lesser-known New Zealand wine regions to explore
• How changing lifestyles are pushing wine packaging innovation
• Why New Zealand wine succeeds globally—and what’s next
• A story from the vineyards of India, China, and beyond

👉 Subscribe for more interviews with the people shaping wine culture.

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome to Five Questions
00:42 Meet Charlotte Read
00:50 Charlotte's Role in the Wine Industry
01:22 Current Wine Favorites
02:12 Underrated New Zealand Wine Regions
04:12 Exciting Wine Trends
05:48 Memorable Wine Experiences
06:52 Conclusion

📍 For more on New Zealand’s wine regions, visit:

• New Zealand Wine Discovery Course: https://www.nzwine.com/en/trade/learning/discovery-course/
• Website: https://www.nzwine.com/en/about-us/
• New Zealand Winegrower Magazine https://www.nzwine.com/en/media/nzwm/
• NZ Wine Video: https://youtu.be/WJYKfaC6n4Q

NZ Wine Reports & Sustainability:

• Annual report: https://www.nzwine.com/en/media/statistics-reports/nzw-annual-report/
• Sustainability Report: https://www.nzwine.com/en/sustainability/sustainability-report/
• Roadmap to Net Zero 2050:  https://www.nzwine.com/en/sustainability/roadmap-to-net-zero/

Some places have unblemished sunlight, young soil or beautiful water. Others have innovation, passion for the craft or care for the land. But only one place has the purity of it all... New Zealand Wine - Altogether Unique

The Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email [email protected].

Cheers!