Top of the wine pops

One of the things you get used to when reading newspapers during the Christmas and New Year bubble is seeing lists.

There are lists for everything. "Top 20 ways to go green this Christmas", "Best celebrity meltdowns of the year", "How to grab a man before New Years Day in 17 easy steps" and "2013's Top 10 commemorative teatowels".

I've written a few "Top wines of the year" lists in my time, but today I reckon it's time to single out some of the actual men and women behind those bottles who happen to be doing great things.

We'll call it "Winemakers to Watch in 2014", which sounds very official and exciting.

Dominic Maxwell - Greystone Wines, Waipara

Not only does Dominic make one of my absolute favourite gewurztraminers, he is responsible for creating the pinot noir that won the trophy for Best Pinot Noir at the 2013 Air NZ Wine Awards. Traditionally, this trophy has been dominated by wines from Central Otago, Marlborough and Martinborough.

This year will be Dom's 10th at Greystone.

He started as a vineyard hand after gaining a degree in viticulture and oenology. In that time he worked his way up to become the company's winemaker.

In 2011 he was New Zealand's Winestate Winemaker of the Year. A quiet achiever, a devoted young dad and a genuinely nice guy.

Lucie Lawrence - Aurum Vineyards, Lowburn, Central Otago

Hailing from France, and trained in oenology at Dijon University, Lucie is a third-generation winemaker who met her Kiwi husband, Brook Lawrence, while they were both trainees at Domaine de l'Arlot in Burgundy's Nuit St Georges.

Since arriving back with Brook to make the 2006 vintage of her in-laws wine, she is now the principal winemaker at Aurum and is responsible for some of the most exciting pinot noir I've ever tasted.

The 2011 Reserve Mathilde from their Te Wairere vineyard is stunning.

Sourced from Aurum's 45th Parallel vineyard in Lowburn is chardonnay, which Lucie uses to create beautifully elegant blanc de blancs.

There are six other wines in their stable, and she is constantly working on marketing.

And if that doesn't keep her busy enough, she also has two young daughters. A real inspiration.

Matt Connell - Akarua Wines, Bannockburn, Central Otago

Why is it that all the fly-fishing nuts I know are also mad about drinking pinot noir?

Matt is no exception - apart from the fact that he actually also gets to make the stuff.

Since his debut pinot for Akarua (the 2009) took home the Champion Pinot Trophy at the Royal Easter Show in 2011, his wines have been collecting gongs like there's no tomorrow.

His 2010 pinot won Red Wine of Show and Pinot Noir Trophy at the Five Nations Wine Challenge 2012, his 2011 pinot won a Pure Gold at the 2013 Air NZ Wine Awards and his two sparkling wines (Brut NV and Rose Brut NV) also scored Pure Gold's at the same show. Understandably, he's very proud of his babies - and when Matt's not nurturing them through the winery he's kept on his toes by his two actual youngsters, Emma and Noah.

Jane de Witt - North Island operations winemaker, Lion

Jane is one of New Zealand's most highly awarded specialist winemakers.

With 18 years of experience behind her, she's the force behind Lindauer, a brand that consistently delivers in quality for the price. Her Lindauer Classic Brut Rose scooped Champion Bubbles at this years' New World Wine Awards, Gold at the 2013 NZ International Wine Show (as did the Special Reserve Brut Cuvee) and Gold at the 2012 Air NZ Awards.

Jane's Lindauer Brut NV, Blanc de Blancs and Sec have also added some serious heavy metal to the trophy cabinet over the years. Crafting quality sparkling wine is a highly complex and exacting process, and it boggles my mind as to how Jane and her team manage to make such consistently good sparkling wines every year at such affordable prices.

She really is the unsung hero of a national icon.

Greystone Waipara Pinot Noir 2012 $29 This fantastic, Waipara-grown wine scooped the trophy for Top Pinot Noir in NZ at the Air NZ Wine Awards in November - a brilliant result for the region. It is easy to see why the judges were wowed because it shows lovely juicy strawberry and cherry intensity on the nose and delicious elegance and succulence in the mouth. There are so many layers to this beautifully structured wine, defined spices, dried herbs, cranberry characters and a ribbon of rosehip in there, too. Definitely a wine to try before you die. www.greystone.co.nz

Brick Bay Matakana Pinot Gris 2013 $32 I love the gorgeous fresh-cut pear and baked apple aromas, layers of luscious spices, zesty, racy acidity and rich, textural complexity on the finish. This really hits the hot spot for exceptional New Zealand pinot gris. More please. www.brickbay.

co.nz

Lawson's Dry Hills Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2013 $23 Aromas of passionfruit curd, soft lemon and sweet green herbs lead to elegant lines of lime and crushed shell characters in the mouth. The acidity lends a tangy, crisp layer to the palate, which also has a powdery, chalky note. Really nice with freshly seared scallops drizzled with lemon and chilli. www.lawsons

dryhills.co.nz

Peckham's Kir Cider 500ml $8 Crafted from hand-harvested blackcurrants, Caroline Peckham and her team pressed the berries and blended the juice with their traditional dry apple cider. I love the fruit purity on the nose, the fresh burst of blackcurrant flavour, the cleansing acidity and excellent length. www.peckhams.

co.nz

Crusoe Organic Spiced Rum 750ml $72 Created by Greenbar distillery, this organic rum from Los Angeles has intense clove, fruitcake and smoky notes, which soak through on to the palate. Warming, spicy and edged with orange oil - it's a must for rum junkies. www.green

drop.co.nz