Ashleigh Barrowman is the brilliant winemaker behind Siren Wines. After being bitten by the bug, she spent her formative years learning from some of the world’s very best. The CV reads like a literal dream. Among others, she spent time with the likes of Patrick Sullivan, Hans Herzog, Vino di Anna, Domaine Labet, Jean-Jacques Morel, and Les Bottes Rouges.

Returning to NZ during the Covid years, it was while pruning at the Wrekin Vineyard that she fell hard for the site and the 2021 vintage marked her first solo release. Since then, the wines have gone from strength to strength, gaining purity and clarity with every vintage.

And while she’s still at the beginning of her journey, these have fast become some of my favourite wines from this corner of the globe, definitely from the maritime Marlborough.

Each wine is named after a tarot card, and much like the cards, her bottles reveal layers the longer you sit with them. Delicate, thoughtful, and full of intent. Ashleigh’s wines speak softly but leave a lasting impression.