Sorrell Wines

About

Daniel Sorrell’s wine story really began thanks to a mutual love for football. In 1998, Dan and his father embarked on what was meant to be a two-week holiday to the Football World Cup adventure in France. But Dan never ended up using his return ticket. Initially Daniel was living the dream working in the world of Super Yachts in the middle of the Mediterranean, where he crewed with a Frenchman from Montpellier.

This friendship eventually led Daniel to visit Montpellier, in the midst of the bustling harvest season, where he witnessed firsthand the tireless labour and unwavering passion his friend’s father put into the family wine business. This week-long visit ignited a spark within Daniel, who fell in love with the idea of a livelihood that was formed around a profound connection with people and place.

“Harvest was such a celebration, full of eccentric people from around the world, all driven to make great wine.”

While working in finance in London, Daniel put himself through a WSET course in London but he yearned to get his hands dirty and to immerse himself in the world of winemaking. In his late 20s Daniel made the bold decision to return to New Zealand, and enrolled in the Wine Science Bachelor’s degree at Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT) in Hawke’s Bay. Here he honed his winemaking skills and acquired valuable practical experience at the local wineries such as Villa Maria's premium brands Vidals and Esk Valley. It was hard graft, working for these prestigious wine brands whilst studying but it solidified Daniel's conviction that he had found his THING.

Armed with theoretical knowledge, practical experience, and unwavering conviction, Daniel spent the next eight years hopping around the world working harvests. From France to America and Australia, Daniel sought to refine his craft and understand on a deeper level what he wants to achieve through his winemaking.

“Harvest is the most exciting time for me as a winemaker…Working with such amazing and varied sites and showcasing the diversity of varietals…They have their own DNA and their own personality behind them.”

Daniel acknowledges that the path to success is paved with challenges. From cyclones to pandemics, each challenge has provided invaluable insights that have fueled Daniel’s growth and open-minded approach.

“The hardest harvests are the ones you learn the most.”

-Daniel Sorrell, Winemaker | Footballer