About us

Wineinsights helps you deepen your understanding and enjoyment of wine through expert‑led tours, education, and cellar guidance. Our services are designed for wine lovers who want to explore wine more meaningfully — from private regional tours to hands‑on workshops and personalised cellar advice.

I’m John Penney — wine educator, host, and consultant. My passion for wine began during my university days in wine service at the Wellington Club and has grown through extensive travel across New Zealand and international wine regions. I hold WSET Level 3 with Distinction and continue to build my expertise through ongoing study and industry engagement.

Based in Martinborough, home to some of New Zealand’s finest Pinot Noir, I maintain an extensive wine cellar and regularly host tastings for local industry professionals and enthusiasts. I also serve as Cellarmaster for the Martinborough Wine & Food Society, supporting the region’s wine culture and community.

Wineinsights brings together my experience and connections to offer thoughtful, personalised wine experiences across Martinborough, the Wairarapa, and the wider New Zealand wine landscape.

Expertise

• A lifetime of drinking, sharing and talking about wine.

• Intermittent periods working in the industry including wine service at Wellington Club, Cellar Door host at Nga Waka, vintage at Alexander and Ata Rangi in Martinborough, and now full time at wineinsights.

• WSET2 and 3 both with Distinction.

• EdX Univ of Adelaide World of Wine

• Cellarmaster for Martinborough Wine and Food Society

• Run Sensory Evaluation of Wine workshops for local industry and enthusiasts.

• Have hosted thematic wine tastings at my home for local winemakers and enthusiasts since 2020

• Extensive global wine travel and wine writing

• Collector with a personal cellar of 1600 bottles

Preferred Wine Regions

I have visited so many wine regions and always enjoyed them. I look forward to discovering many more! Alsace is one region that calls me back repeatedly but if I must choose a favourite of course it will be my home region of Martinborough in the South Wairarapa District of New Zealand's North Island. Martinborough is small, accounting for only 1% of New Zealand's total wine production but is at the pinnacle of quality with globally recognised brands like Escarpment, Ata Rangi and Dry River, world class Pinot Noir, and so much more!

Preferred Wines

I am eclectic in my wine tastes and if a wine is well-made, I will probably enjoy it, especially if shared with good food and friends.