BayBuzz magazine long-termer and resident bon vivant Lizzie Russell’s new online column shines a light on new faces, places, ventures and happenings, and then we hear the subject’s answers to her short set of questions. Tune in fortnightly (ambitious!) for a shortcut to local discoveries, personalities and snippets of good news. Enjoy!

Chateau Garage in the Pink

Just when you thought it was all tough breaks and hard grind in the local wine industry (and the national one, and the international one, for that matter), up pops some utterly lovely news for Hawke’s Bay producer Chateau Garage.

Believed to be one of the smallest wineries in the country, based out of a shed in leafy suburban Napier South, Chateau Garage has just been named the producer of NZ’s best rosé. 

Last week in his annual The Real Review, Stephen Wong MW awarded the Chateau Garage Lulu Wild Ferment Rosé 2025 five stars, 95 out of 100 and crowned it the best of the pinks. Hurrah!

Made by former Villa Maria head viticulturist turned solo winemaker Ollie Powrie, Lulu 2025 is a blend of marzemino, teroldego, fresia, merlot from the Dolce Vista vineyard in Havelock North, and has been wild-fermented in oak barrels. 

I’m no wine critic but I can absolutely vouch for the invaluable part Lulu has played in many celebrations and long, leisurely afternoons over the last few months. Floral and stonefruit notes, complex enough to elevate the occasion, crisp and refreshing and gorgeous in its colour, Lulu is liquid Hawke’s Bay summer. Stephen Wong MW and I just love her, ha.

Ollie and his wife and co-founder Rebecca Moses are beloved characters in the local wine and food scene and they’re of course, delighted with the recognition.

“Winning NZ Rosé of the year is beyond huge for us. We’re a small family operation that’s only been going for a few short years with no big investors behind us. So to be named amongst the top wineries we’ve long admired is really humbling,” Ollie says.

“Lulu is a special drop for us as it’s such a unique wine and loved by all. We’re thrilled that it’s being served in some of NZ’s top restaurants and the boost of Top Rosé has seen new enquiries which we love.”

The Real Review ranks wineries one through to 143. Top Winery this year is Bell Hill in Canterbury. Great to see Hawke’s Bay’s Bilancia at spot number four and Te Mata Estate at number ten, Chateau Garage listed in the top 25, and exciting – the Rising Star of the Year award for 2026 went to HB locals Jascha Oldham-Selak and Sanne Witteveen of Vilaura Wines.

Things are undeniably challenging in the wine industry, so I reckon we need to celebrate the good, while looking at the reality of what’s facing the sector. In our current May/June magazine you’ll find Steve Smith’s take on the current situation, and his ideas for re-doing things. Never waste a good crisis … read it here.

And now, Ollie and Rebecca answer the Opening Lines Questionnaire

• What have you been reading / watching worth recommending? 

Lola in the Mirror by Trent Dalton. A story of a young homeless girl set in Brisbane in the ‘80s – pretty gritty but with themes of hope and promise. 

• Where’s your best meal of the last few months been? 

In Napier city, we love the Central Fire Station for the world class cuisine and incredible atmosphere and service. In Ahuriri, Riccardo and Sara at Casa are absolute gems and have perfected the beautiful welcoming dining experience with sensational food and wine.

• What’s your go-to fix for a bad day?  

We make the emergency call to Da from Dara Thai massage and she melts away the knots and stress from sales trips on the road every time. A coastal walk with our schnauzer Bruno on Marine Parade clears away the cobwebs for us both. 

• Where do you want to get on a plane to? 

Tahiti with the family and surfboard or back to Tuscany for some further wine education… 😉

• Favourite spot for a coffee or a drink? 

Coffee: Puawai our neighbourhood café in Napier South is hard to beat for great coffee and friendly banter! Drinks at Rogue Hop where patron Jeremy Bayliss is the ultimate host and supporting local! 

• What’s one thing you insist on visitors to the Bay doing? 

A meal at Vincis – we took friends from Wellington there in March on a balmy Saturday evening. There was a great DJ, we sat outside and our group (which included several teenagers!) all had the most special night sitting outside! Magic. 

• What’s one thing missing from Hawke’s Bay?

A Japanese restaurant that isn’t sushi and an international airport! 

Thanks, Ollie and Rebecca, and congratulations, and cin cin!