As the hospitality landscape evolves in Aotearoa, it’s exciting to encounter new approaches shaking up the scene.
Such is the case with new arrival Normanby Fine Wine & Spirits.
On the face of it, the Mount Eden destination is a wine, beer and spirits specialist. The space on Normanby Street retails a smart collection of bottles that meets the desires of everyone, from casual drinkers to wine aficionados.
But it’s also intended to be an inviting cafe to stop in the morning for a coffee and a pastry, gather with friends for a light bite over drinks at the wine bar, or educate your palette with a wine tasting.
Normanby is led by renowned wine expert and industry expert Liz Wheadon who says the space was born from a simple idea: that buying wine should feel less like a transaction and more like an experience.
That experience is truly impressive with stylish interiors by CTRL Space, delicious food and an experienced team introducing customers to a selection of more than 1,300 local and international wines, spirits, sakes, and craft beers.
The team includes Head of Client Services Anthony “T” Sorensen, Head of Client Services Zane Winskill and Sommelier Andrea Martinisi.
Completing the experience is La Cave, Normanby’s dedicated private tasting room. Seating up to 15 guests, it offers a space for intimate tastings, bespoke events, and private celebrations.
What to expect from Normanby
We asked Liz Wheadon to share some more about what to expect from the new arrival.
What was your inspiration for this venture?
It’s retail reimagined, a wine and spirit experience unlike any other. Retail generally is a bottle on the shelf, a price, and a queue at a counter. It’s transactional. At Normanby, we have created a space that is an experience, it’s somewhere you want to come to, a place to linger and enjoy all that is on offer.
Customers are looking for this. If it’s just a bottle and a price, that could come from anywhere. We wanted to create something truly special.
The space serves a number of desires and needs, what do you anticipate some of those to be?
It’s a space that’ll create a myriad of experiences for customers. Whether it’s a great cup of coffee in a handmade cup in the morning with BeaBea’s excellent bread and Lewis Road butter, a salad for lunch in or take away. Shared plates with a glass of wine from our rotating selection of wines by the glass or a bottle from the shelf, all are able to be enjoyed on site.
There’s a private room, La Cave, an incredible space for enjoying dinner with friends. There’s a wide range of tasting and events that will be run in La Cave, I am looking forward to hosting these. We also have a Caviar experience with Champagne.
The main part of the site is of course a retail store, the range is something I am immensely proud of. A large number of the wines we import ourselves with the range increasing over time. For the moment, what we are starting with is epic – it’s truly representative of fine wine from all around the world.
What will wine lovers delight in?
You can enjoy any bottle of wine from the shelves on site for the retail price + 20. That makes a $17 bottle, $37 on site served in Riedel glassware. Equally, a $360 bottle of Champagne, $380 on site. The pricing is super fair, great value.
The imported range is truly representative of fine wine around the world and not found elsewhere in New Zealand to this extent or quality.
We are also a proud importer of IWA sake, available for the first time in New Zealand. Wine lovers will adore this Sake make by former Dom Perignon Winemaker Richard Geoffroy.
The knowledge of the team, you could not bring together a better more knowledgeable team, that all adore sharing that knowledge in a way that makes all feel very welcome and included. It’s that part that really sets the team apart.
What should wine novices know about a visit?
The team’s ability to guide new customers is key. Not only are the team good at it, but they love to see others learn. Introducing a customer to new tastes and styles is super satisfying.
We love customer feedback, it’s how we ensure that our recommendations will be things they like.
I have customers who have shopped with me for 25+ years and continue to. Many are now friends, and we enjoy bottles together. When a customer comes back and tells you about a wine experience and it’s something you have recommended, or hand a hand in, that’s satisfying.
The expertise of staff is key, what are you proud customers will find in that regard?
A knowledgeable team that love coming delivering excellent customer service. On top of that, they are all such wonderful talented people. I really enjoy working with them. I’ve worked with T for 14 years, with Zane for 17 years and whilst this is the first time I’ve worked with Andrea, it already feels like we’ve been doing this for a long time.
It’s a shared passion for what we do, the product and for making the product and knowledge accessible.
Normanby Fine Wine & Spirits is now open at at 31a Normanby Road, Mount Eden, Auckland.
