Welcome
Wine Sentience is home to Wellington's only Master of Wine, specialising in hospitality training, wine education, wine lists and tutored tastings. We cover everything from NZ wine and fine wine, to natural wine, in private luxury wine experiences and occasional public masterclasses.
Forthcoming events
We have completed our masterclass programme for 2025. Wine Sentience will be shut from 24th December until 4th January, but we look forward to seeing all of you again in 2026. There are WSET classes planned in collaboration with the New Zealand School of Wines and Spirits for Wellington throughout the coming year, register your interest by email if you would like to be updated on available dates as they emerge.
Lastly, keep an eye on the Masterclasses page to see if new things pop up, or if you prefer, contact us to be added to the mailing list.
Our wine experiences
We offer a range of exceptional private tastings for small and large groups – find out more here.
Our Master of Wine
Wellington's own resident Master of Wine, Stephen fell in love with wine while playing music at clubs and doing harvest while studying at Otago University. He took on sommelier roles in the early 2000s, running the wine programmes at Café Bastille/Roxburgh Bistro, The Matterhorn, Citron, The Spire Queenstown, Singapore Marriott Hotel and Arbitrageur Wine Room.
With a focus on education and communication, he has taught at Le Cordon Bleu, currently teaches WSET up to Level 4 Diploma, and occasionally judges wine shows in NZ, Australia and Asia. He works closely with wine festivals and NZ Winegrowers in education, presenting and speaking at the Sommit Scholarship, Pinot Noir Conference, The Aromatics Symposium, Aotearoa Chardonnay Symposium, Bragato Conference and at their events in Australia, Hong Kong and China. He is the current co-chair of the Institute’s Diversity, Inclusion and Transformation Committee, and part of the IWM's International Symposium 2027 Committee.
As one of the organisers for Budburst, natural wine is a particular passion for him. A natural wine pioneer, Stephen instigated Ponsonby’s Golden Dawn Tavern becoming the first natural wine bar in the country back in 2010, followed by Ancestral and Whitebait Restaurant a few years later. This commitment carried through at Sherwood Queenstown. However, as a classically trained taster, fine wine is definitely part of his oeuvre. Stephen runs in-depth tastings and masterclasses on traditional fine wines; you'll see him presenting at vintage assessment tastings of Germany, Austria, New Zealand, Rhône, Burgundy and Bordeaux.
In 2022, Stephen passed more exams to be New Zealand's Ambassador for the VDP German Fine Wine Estates and is qualified to introduce, educate and raise awareness of the diverse wines of Germany’s top estates. You can also find his writing on wine in editorial columns for Cuisine and The Real Review. Lastly, since 2023, he has been part of the international jury panel for Star Wine List of the Year competitions across Europe, Asia, USA and the International Final.
Adventures from Instagram
Out and about, all around the world.