Vine to Table - The 2026 Edition

As 2025 draws to a close, we say hello again to Vine to Table.

It only feels right to give you a little background on where this all began.

For those of you new here, Vine to Table is a little wine business created by us - Sam and AJ North. We’re a husband-and-wife team and parents to two little loves (and a few fur-babies), currently living in Martinborough, New Zealand… although that hasn’t always been the case.

Many of you reading this may know us from our Christchurch days, when we opened the original version of Vine to Table - a bespoke wine shop in the heart of the city, created to bring new and exciting wines to an ever-evolving space. It started off with a hiss and a roar, and I think everyone who came to us shared our excitement. It was clear that something special was growing and we couldn’t wait to give it our all.

I nearly wrote unfortunately, but that wouldn’t be accurate - so let’s just say: two weeks after opening our doors, we found out we were expecting Little Love #1. After experiencing a miscarriage nine months earlier, the news was incredible… but it naturally came with some complications around what this would mean for our lives.

We had decided that AJ would become our sole provider so Sam could be in the wine shop day in, day out - after all, he’s the brains behind this whole operation! With the backdrop of a looming eight months ahead, we tried to get the business where we needed it to be, but a mix of financial constraints and uncertainty around how we’d survive once the baby arrived meant we ultimately ended up closing the shop at Christmas of 2022 (three years ago somehow?!).

That came with a lot of sadness and a real sense of defeat, of course. We were so happy building the business, and feeling like we had no choice but to close was incredibly difficult - but we knew it was the right call. Sam went back to working in the wine world, managing Peg Bay Cellar Door and Inati restaurant (simultaneously) to keep us afloat as we paid off what felt like the never-ending repercussions of the shop venture. Thankfully, we did square everything up eventually, and a few months later Sam was approached to come and run a winery here in Martinborough. Despite having our sights set on Australia and the promise of better opportunities, we made the decision to move back to the North Island and find some stability. It worked - and again, we knew the timing was exactly right.

For the past two years we’ve quietly plodded along, grown our family, and reached a point where we’re ready to reinvigorate what we started aaaaall those years ago… although with a slightly different focus.

Vine to Table - the 2026 edition – is a wine business that encompasses everything we care about with regards to wine. Wine is something that should be savoured, enjoyed, celebrated and we believe it's the perfect way to bring people together.

We were lucky enough to host a number of private tasting events while the shop was open and so our focus going forwards will be on hosting corporate and private tasting events to give you the same experience we loved curating back then, but with the growth, knowledge and perspective we've gained since.

Over the next year, you’ll start to see Vine to Table unfold into what we always hoped it would become: a place where people can learn, explore, taste, ask questions, try new things, and most importantly, connect. We want to take everything we’ve lived through - the ups, the pivots, the heartbreaks, the rebuilds - and pour it into something meaningful, intentional and genuinely useful for anyone who enjoys wine, whether casually or deeply.

So what can you look forward to from Vine to Table, 2026 and beyond?

✨ Private & Corporate Wine Tastings (in-person or virtual)

Curated, guided experiences designed to educate without overwhelming, and to bring people together in a way that feels warm, approachable and fun. These are perfect for treating clients, enhancing team events, celebrations, hens/stags, birthdays, or simply a night with friends who want to explore something new.

✨ Bespoke Wine Experiences

Private wine tours are actually a new offering we've been able to dip our toes in while laying dormant the last couple of years. Sam recently flew to Waiheke Island to do a private wine tour and it sparked a beautiful inspiration for us that this is something we know we could do a great job at - so you heard it here first! We'll start with Martinborough and maybe the Hawke's Bay, but if there's somewhere you'd like to visit and keen to tack on a private tour, reach out to us anytime! Otherwise watch this space - exciting things are coming!

✨ Personalised Wine Bottle Labels

For companies looking for unique corporate gifts or client thank yous, weddings, milestone birthdays - or anyone wanting something thoughtful and customised. This is a new offering we're incredibly excited to be offering to you guys that we know so many of you will love.

✨ Wine Education & Easy-to-Understand Content

From how to choose a bottle, to pairing ideas, holiday guides, “ask us anything” sessions, wine reviews, behind-the-scenes vineyard insights and more. Our mission is to make wine accessible, enjoyable and approachable - not intimidating (or pretentious).

✨ Seasonal Food & Wine Pairing Guides

Little resources with big impact, designed to make your weekly meals or special occasions feel simple and elevated without needing to know a single technical wine word.

✨ Wine Recommendations, Reviews & Curated Lists

Honest opinions from Sam (the brain) and AJ (the classic palate you can trust if you like delicious things). Whether you’re buying a gift, stocking up for an event, or wanting to explore new varieties, we’ll be sharing our best finds regularly.

✨ Future Events, Workshops & Offerings (coming soon)

We have ideas brewing - from community tastings to small-group workshops to host-your-own wine nights. These will slowly roll out as our feet plant more firmly on the ground again.

All of this exists because we believe wine is one of the simplest, most joyful ways to connect - with each other, with seasons, with places, with stories, with ourselves. And after everything we’ve been through, building that kind of connection feels more important than ever.

If you’ve been with us since the Christchurch days, thank you for sticking around. If you’re new here, welcome - we’re genuinely so happy to have you.

Here’s to the next chapter of Vine to Table.

We can’t wait to share it with you, one bottle, one story, one table at a time.