Unannounced, Unforgettable: Normanby Fine Wine & Spirits, Auckland (Part 1 of 2)
Malo e lelei Wine Lovers,
This week’s newsletter is a little different – we’re running it in two parts.
Why? Because I didn’t even plan this visit.
It was one of those Auckland afternoons after 5pm – traffic thick, State Highway 1 doing its usual thing. Instead of fighting it, I took a breath, listened to a solid recommendation from my good mate OJ, and made a quick unannounced site visit to a spot he said would fit perfectly with my curated Wine Experiences.
That place was Normanby Fine Wine & Spirits in Mt Eden, Auckland. And the moment I walked through those doors, I knew this wasn’t just another bottle shop.
Part 1: The Pop-In Site Visit
As soon as I stepped through the Normanby doors, I was hit with happy faces, energy, and a warm welcome from Zane at the door – the kind of hospitality that instantly took me back to France. You know those premium wine bars where you feel like you belong before you’ve even chosen your first glass? That’s what it felt like.
And then I looked over and saw something that made me smile: Head Sommelier Andrea was opening a giant Salmanazar (9L) bottle of Whispering Angel Rose – one of my absolute favourites, and the same one I spoke about in my newsletter a couple of weeks ago.
Fun fact for the crew: a Salmanazar (9L) is the equivalent of 12 normal wine bottles. So when that hits the table, it’s not just a bottle… it’s an entrance.
I turned to Liz and said, “I feel like I’m in the Cote de Provence right now – sunshine and all.” Because honestly, that’s exactly what it felt like in that moment: that Provencal energy, that rose lifestyle, that lightness that makes you want to sit down and let the afternoon stretch out.
And on top of the wine theatre, I was literally salivating seeing what was coming out and onto the tables – cheese boards, tapas-style plates, and those charcuterie platters (the kind that make you forget you ever said you were just popping in). You know when you see a platter and your brain immediately starts pairing? That was me, trying to act calm, but internally I was already ordering in my head.
Normanby is set up beautifully – not trying too hard, but still giving you that quiet confidence. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to slow down and say: “Alright… this is where I’ll be having a proper moment.”
Then I met Liz (Director) – and I’ve got to give flowers where they’re due. Liz took time out of her day to show me around the tasting room and share her story: 30 years in the wine industry. That’s a big tick for me, because experience like that isn’t just knowledge – it’s relationships, standards, and the ability to curate with purpose.
And here’s the part I loved: Liz went to France earlier this year – spending time in Burgundy and the Rhone Valley to explore new wines and touch base with existing, popular wineries. When I hear that, it’s music to my ears. Because that connection between importer and winemaker is where the magic starts. That’s how you get wines with stories, integrity, and real craft behind the label.
I also met Inde, who is from France – and yes, we had to exchange a few words in French. Keeping the lingo going like that always feels good. It’s those little moments that make wine spaces feel global, but still personal.
Part 2: The Proper Sit-Down is Coming
This first visit was the pop-in. But Part 2 is where I’m going to spoil myself properly – wine and food offerings, seated, taking my time, letting the place show me what it’s really about when you settle in.
I’m aiming to head over next week, before Christmas Day. I already know who’s coming with me: my wife. Because this feels like a place for special moments with your number one – a gem in Auckland you should absolutely have on your list.
So consider this Part 1 a teaser. Next week, I’ll fill you in with the full experience – what we drank, what we ate, what I’d recommend, and why Normanby might be one of those spots you return to again and again.
Until then,
Ofa atu,
Semisi – The Wine Chief