Whether you consider yourself a wine connoisseur or simply an avid consumer, if it’s expert advice you’re after then you can’t go past the crew at Vino Fino.

Since opening in 1993, Vino Fino has become the largest single retailer of fine wines in Christchurch, specialising in wines from New Zealand, Australia and around the world as well as an ever-growing selection of craft beers and spirits.

A big reason for that success is their loyal customers, who value the ability of the Vino Fino team to come up with the goods whatever the budget or requirements. Rex Ormandy is in charge – he has more than 35 years’ experience in the industry, including being involved with wine education and judging. Retail manager Paul Cabout is the in-house spirits expert. Dean Lovett’s wine passions lean towards European wines. Michael Ormandy represents the new generation of wine lover, managing Vino Fino’s social media and growing range of natural and organic wines. Rounding out the sales team is James O’Flaherty, who has a background in wine retail but is also responsible for Vino Fino’s craft beer selection.

Vino Fino’s progress since its early days has mirrored the rise of the New Zealand wine industry. Back in 1993, Marlborough sauvignon blanc was only beginning to garner attention, and the first North Canterbury and Central Otago wines were just appearing on the market. Vino Fino has grown alongside those areas’ pioneering wineries, establishing firm relationships along the way. Nowadays, far from being at the end of the world for wine, Vino Fino is adjacent to some of the world’s most exciting wine regions.

To keep up to date, the team continually taste and evaluate wine for Vino Fino’s stocking selection. They are proud of their ability to identify wines of distinction and especially those that offer outstanding value, backing it up with good old-fashioned service.

Vino Fino is proudly local, independent and family-owned. They have no ambitions to be the biggest, fastest or flashest, just to be very good at what they do.

You can shop with Vino Fino either online or in person in their Durham Street store, which is well worth the visit to check out the wine memorabilia on display. These rare artefacts are kindly on loan from the Kingscote Family Trust and were once part of the Fletcher Humphrey Museum Collection.

vinofino.co.nz