Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ's

Expert answers about wine delivery, storage, and personalised recommendations from Laura and The Wine List NZ team.

Symbols

 This icon indicates that this wine has been purchased more than once by the same customer within the last 365 days.
This icon shows that the wine has a current award above 90 points, which may include a gold or silver, a second or first, and outstanding or excellent. More information will be on the product page.
This icon represents that the wine is featured on one (often many) top-notch restaurant wine lists.

Quick Answers

Most common questions answered in 1-2 sentences

How much is shipping?

Just $10 flat rate anywhere in NZ, or free delivery over $400.

How quickly will my wine arrive?

Usually 2-3 business days nationwide.

Can I call someone?

Absolutely! Call or text Laura directly  021 591 500

Do you sell individual bottles?

We sell by the box (6 bottles) for better pricing than single bottles.

About Our Wine & Service

What makes The Wine List different?

We're inspired by restaurant wine lists. Every wine we select is guided by professional reviews, customer re-order statistics, and what top NZ restaurants are putting on their lists. You're getting restaurant-quality selections at reasonable pricing.

Who is Laura, and why should I trust her recommendations?

Laura is our buyer, host, chef and food writer with 25 years' experience in NZ hospitality and food. She's built great relationships across the industry and is available for personalised recommendations based on her deep knowledge of what makes great wine.

Are these wines available in stores?

Many of our wines are exclusive to restaurants and specialty wine shops. We source wines the same way restaurants do, sometimes directly from wineries, offering reasonable pricing better than single bottle purchases.

Ordering & Delivery

Why do you sell by the box (6 bottles)?

This is how restaurants buy wine—and in our experience as hosts, you usually need more than one of a good bottle. It allows us to offer reasonable pricing better than single bottle purchases.

Can I mix different wines in one order?

We offer carefully curated mixed boxes for different occasions or to explore different regions and varietals. Our wines come from different wineries, sometimes directly from wineries, which makes random mixes difficult at this stage.

Why have I only received one of the wines I ordered?

Because our wines come from wineries and suppliers across the country, one case of wine may arrive before the other. However, they shouldn't be too far apart.

What's your shipping policy?

We charge $10 flat rate shipping nationwide, or enjoy free delivery on orders over $400. Most orders arrive within 2-3 business days via courier.

Do you ship nationwide?

Yes, we deliver throughout New Zealand. Remote areas may take an extra day.

How do you pack the wine?

Bottles come packed as they arrive from the winery—in boxes with dividers, ensuring each bottle is properly protected during transport.

Do account holders get any benefits?

Yes! Account holders receive a standard 5% discount on all orders, plus faster checkout with saved delivery details.

Wine Storage & Enjoyment

How should I store my wines once they arrive?

Store in a cool, dark place with consistent temperature. For detailed storage tips by wine type, read our comprehensive storage guide.

Are these wines ready to drink now or should I cellar them?

Most of our selection is ready to enjoy immediately, though many will improve with cellaring. Check individual wine descriptions for aging potential, or call Laura (021 591 500) for specific advice.

What temperature should I serve different wines?

  • Red wines: 14-18°C (slightly below room temperature)
  • White wines: 8-12°C (well-chilled)
  • Sparkling wines: 5-8°C (quite cold)

Do you offer food pairing advice?

Absolutely! Laura is also our food writer and creates pairing suggestions for many wines. You'll find specific recommendations on wine pages, or call or text 021 591 500.

Returns & Quality

What if I don't like a wine?

We stand behind every bottle. If you're genuinely unsatisfied with a wine's quality, just call Laura to discuss. We want you to love what you're drinking.

What if a bottle is damaged or faulty?

Contact us immediately. We'll arrange replacement or refund for any damaged or faulty bottles—no questions asked.

Do you offer refunds?

For damaged or faulty wines, absolutely. For taste preference, let's chat—we might find something more suited to your palate.

Wine Selection & Recommendations

How do you choose which wines to sell?

Every wine must earn its place. We're guided by professional reviews, customer re-order statistics, and what top restaurants are putting on their lists. We focus on great wine—if the price is good, that's a bonus.

I'm new to wine—where should I start?

Start with our 'Staff Picks' or call Laura! She loves introducing people to great wine and can recommend based on your taste preferences and budget, drawing on 25 years of hospitality experience.

Do you have organic or natural wines?

Yes! Look for Hebe, or Greystone Pet Nat. Many of the wineries we work with have organic certifications on their vineyards. Check the organic collection page. Most of our producers follow sustainable practices, not all are certified. All are excellent stewards of their land.

Can you recommend wines for special occasions?

Our 'Premium $75+' collection features celebration-worthy wines, but the best choice depends on your occasion and preferences. Call Laura for personalised recommendations based on her deep industry knowledge.

Account & Contact

Do I need to create an account to order?

You can checkout as a guest, but creating an account gives you a 5% discount on all orders plus saves your delivery details for faster future orders.

How can I stay updated on new wines and offers?

Join our mailing list for Laura's weekly updates with new arrivals, restaurant finds, and exclusive offers. Plus get 10% off your first order!

What's the best way to contact you?

  • Phone/Text: 021591500 (fastest for urgent questions)
  • Email: laura@thewinelist.co.nz
  • Website contact form (monitored daily)
  • Social media: Instagram and Facebook

Business & Background

Tell me about The Wine List's story

Born during the first lockdown in 2020, The Wine List connects wine lovers with restaurant-quality wines at home. Laura joined in late 2022 with her 25 years of experience in NZ hospitality and food, plus her relationships across the industry, giving us a unique insight into what makes great wine worth sharing.

Do you work with restaurants?

We source our wines in the same way restaurants do—sometimes directly from wineries, always guided by what the best venues are selecting for their lists. Check our 'Restaurant Features' blog for our latest dining discoveries.

Still Have Questions?

Laura is here to help with personalised wine recommendations and expert advice.

Call or Text Laura 021 591 500 | Email Us: Laura@thewinelist.co.nz

Helpful Resources

 

Based on 56 reviews
91%
(51)
9%
(5)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)

A beautiful full flavoured Vouvray.

A great non alcoholic Red, less robust and less sweet than the Shiraz. Great to have a few options. Excellent service again.

Dicey Bannockburn Pinot Gris 2024

Greystone (Norwester) Pinot Noir 2023

A stunning red. Great price and quick delivery. You won’t be disappointed.

Crisp

Crisp, fruity, pleasurable to drink.

Fiorini Chianti Superiore DOCG 2021

Beautiful deep ruby red colour, and classic Chianti characteristics. Will buy again when in stock.

Excellent wine and service

Laura helped me source a wine off the beaten path , so efficient and the wine is incredible. Highly recommend!!

Chardonnay

Really good wine good price, delivery as detailed, thanks

fantastic wine and service as usual!

delivered within 2 days and drunk within 1!

Great product, fast communication and delivery.

Nice easy purchase

Great product at a great price and speedy delivery

Excellent wine, delivered quickly, at a great price

Love this wine, it’s a fave year after year. The experience with The Wine List was very straightforward, speedy delivery & and first user discount code. Wins all round!

Dicey Bannockburn Chenin Blanc 2023 … so good

Beautiful wine and great fast delivery!

Excellent quality

If a dry, mineral, Chardonnay with a hint of citrus is your preference, this winner is for you. Extremely elegant. Every mouthful a delight. Can hold its own to any French version.

Fat **** Chardonnay

Can't beat a good oaky chardonnay from California. If you like a creamy oaky chardonnay this is for you. Hard to find something similar in NZ unless you are prepared to pay alot more.

Incredible wine for the money

Never really understood the whole appellations thing but this wine looks tastes and smells like a rose from Provence without the price tag. Loving it..

Excellent wine and excellent service.

could not recommend the wine list more! Laura has responded within minutes to our email inquiry and the ordered wine arrived only 2 days after ordering. Excellent!

Christmas came early ..efficient service

Such easy wonderful service.
Wine was a bargain
Beautiful Californian Fat **** Chardonnay, smooth and buttery but not too heavy. Delicious!

FB Chardonnay

I first tried this chardonnay at Manaia restaurant Tairua and loved it straight away, I couldn't find it at most supermarkets nor liquor outlets, so I started to buy online. Very glad you had it in stock : )

Prosecco

First time order with The Wine List and received great service. Ordered online and delivery was very fast. Really enjoy a glass of the Prosecco 🥂.

Great

Everything happened as it should. Perfect

Muddy Waters Pinot Noir

This is an excellent wine- smooth flavours with hints of berries and slight chocolate- good for drinking now or cellaring, great value for money

Mas de Bressades Costières de Nîmes Cuvée Tradition 2023

I am completely taken by the Mas de Bressades cuvee tradition 2023. I really enjoy Cotes de Rhone blanc - this slightly western cousin displays the delights of the mixture of grapes of Rhone origin.

Mas de Bressades Costières de Nîmes Cuvée Tradition 2023

I am completely taken by the Mas de Bressades cuvee tradition 2023. I really enjoy Cotes de Rhone blanc - this slightly western cousin displays the delights of the mixture of grapes of Rhone origin. The colour is a good golden hue; there is a complex nose that gives different emphasis with development in the glass. It is a good aperitif or excellent with chicken/fish etc dishes. Wonderful with fish cooked in the air fryer served with lentils and a persimmon sauce made from fruit from the garden - the last of this season's crop has just been finished but it survived well in the deep freeze and we will try a mandarin sauce that worked wonderfully with pork fillet/tenderloin. Atlantic salmon (not from Tasmania!) works much better than king salmon (but I grew up on the North Atlantic coast where salmon were, in those days, common) so I would say that! The wine is robust, but the nose and flavours respond and develop beautifully. There is always some enticing complexity. I would like to try other wines from this producer.