{"product_id":"the-side-hustle-six-pack","title":"The Side Hustle Six Pack","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\"\u003eA curated six-pack of Martinborough wines from two winemakers who, in their day jobs, work for high-quality, premium producers.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKia ora everyone,\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a winemaker working in a wine shop, the benefits are many — fascinating people, great conversations, and the occasional lightbulb moment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne such moment came while explaining to a customer the professional journey of a particular winemaker: the prestigious day job, and the tiny, passion-driven label on the side. I thought,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003esurely others would find this as compelling as I do?\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Merchant Queen agreed. And so we present a fascinating and genuinely original six-bottle case showcasing the talents of two outstanding Martinborough winemakers. In the modern vernacular:\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Side Hustle Six Pack\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e— yes, we have street cred.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese side-hustle wines are where creative freedom flows unchecked. The producers who allow this kind of endeavour deserve acknowledgement — they're essentially funding risk-free R\u0026amp;D with remarkable results.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe First Duo: Field Wines\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBehind the tiny-production\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eField Wines\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003elabel are\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVanessa Paton\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e— a scion of the legendary Ata Rangi vineyard — and her partner\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJohn Kavanagh\u003c\/strong\u003e, who steers the ship at Te Kairanga Winery. Between them, they bring serious pedigree to every bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2024 Te Kairanga Pinot Noir\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eBold and fruit-driven, this is Martinborough Pinot at its most confident — supple tannins, radiant fruit, and beautifully integrated oak.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e🏆 Trophy \u0026amp; Gold Medal — Champion Pinot Noir, National Wine Awards of Aotearoa New Zealand 2025\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e⭐ 5 Stars \u0026amp; 93 Points — Sam Kim, Wine Orbit\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2025 Te Kairanga Sauvignon Blanc\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eMarlborough dominates New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc — so beating them at their own game is no small feat. This wine claimed a Trophy, Double Gold, and a Gold Medal in two of the country's most competitive shows. A textbook example of why the world can't get enough of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e🏆 Trophy \u0026amp; Double Gold — New Zealand International Wine Show 2025\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e🥇 Gold Medal — National Wine Awards of Aotearoa New Zealand 2025\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e⭐ 5 Stars \u0026amp; 93 Points — Sam Kim, Wine Orbit\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2024 Field Pinot Noir\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eExpressive and stylish, this Abel clone Pinot Noir from Vanessa and John speaks with real vineyard purity and idiosyncratic charm. Decant now, or cellar for a few more winters — it'll reward your patience either way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Second Trio: Paul Mason\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe quietly wry\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaul Mason\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ehas transitioned from a long and distinguished tenure at Martinborough Vineyards into the welcoming hands of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJay Short\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeggy Dupree\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eat Nga Waka — who also graciously ushered the great Roger Parkinson into a well-earned retirement. Mason has crafted three very fine Pinot Noirs for this pack: two from the Nga Waka stable, and one from his own clandestinely named side project.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2024 Nga Waka 3 Paddles Pinot Noir\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThe more widely available of Nga Waka's Pinot Noirs, and a perfect introduction to both Mason's craft and the Nga Waka house style. Expressive fruit, restrained tannins, and impressive length — all at a price that makes it an easy yes.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e⭐ 4.5 Stars \u0026amp; \"Best Buy\" — Cuisine Magazine\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e🥇 Gold Medal — NZ International Wine Show\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e⭐ 5 Stars — Sam Kim, Wine Orbit\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2024 Nga Waka Lease Block Pinot Noir\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThe 2024 vintage was textbook from start to finish — clean fruit, perfect ripeness, and picking decisions made purely on merit. It gave winemakers the rare freedom to push boundaries in the cellar. Mason made the most of it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis was the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eonly New Zealand Pinot Noir\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eto receive a Gold Medal and 96 points at the competition, and swept four major titles:\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e🏆 International Pinot Noir Trophy — Best in the world, including Burgundy\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e🏆 New Zealand Pinot Noir Trophy\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e🏆 New Zealand Red Trophy\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e🏆 Martinborough Pinot Noir Trophy\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e⭐ 5 Stars — Cuisine Magazine Awards\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2024 Mason Hidden Vineyard Pinot Noir\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e(Yes, \"Hidden Vineyard\" is its actual name.)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCameron Douglas, Master Sommelier, writes: scents of dark plum, dark red strawberry, baking spices, and a soft smoky complexity frame what is an earthy, youthful, and beautifully poised wine. Taut on the palate, it needs time — but those who wait will be richly rewarded.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eBest from 2028 through 2034+. 94 Points, Excellent — Cameron Douglas MS\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSix wines. Two winemakers. One exceptional six-pack.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Martinborough Wine Merchants","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42443513692242,"sku":null,"price":266.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/7431\/files\/Field-Martinborough-Pinot-Noir-2020-Field-Martinborough-Martinborough-Wine-Merchants-5.jpg?v=1698713803","url":"https:\/\/www.martinboroughwinemerchants.com\/products\/the-side-hustle-six-pack","provider":"Martinborough Wine Merchants","version":"1.0","type":"link"}