James and Marie Suckling have just released their 2025 Mirae wine collection, with the range now including a Pinot Noir, Amphora Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay. These wines explore indigenous fermentation, terracotta amphorae, glass wine-globes and carefully selected seasoned oak. Production remains exceptionally limited, with each wine made in quantities ranging from just 150 to 550 bottles.
The Story Behind Mirae
Mirae, meaning “future” in Korean, is a small-production wine project created by James and Marie Suckling and centred on a 1.8-hectare organically farmed vineyard in Martinborough. Predominantly planted in 1986, the vineyard includes rare ungrafted Pinot Noir vines. The fruit is taken to Ata Rangi for vinification, where the wines are made in collaboration with renowned winemaker Helen Masters.
James Suckling is an internationally recognised wine critic, author and founder of JamesSuckling.com, whose career has taken him through many of the world’s great wine regions. After years of tasting and reporting on New Zealand wine, James and his wife, Marie, acquired the Martinborough vineyard in 2023 and named it Mirae, the Korean word for “future.”
The project reflects a desire to experience wine from the ground up, with a strong focus on vine health, longevity and the distinctive character of Martinborough. The vineyard’s old Pinot Noir blocks are being carefully revitalised under the guidance of renowned Italian pruning specialist Marco Simonit, with the aim of improving sap flow, vine balance and long-term resilience.
The fruit is vinified at Ata Rangi with winemaker Helen Masters, using spontaneous fermentation and a thoughtful combination of open-top fermenters, terracotta amphorae, glass Wineglobes and seasoned French oak. The resulting wines are produced in extremely small quantities and offer a highly personal interpretation of New Zealand Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay.
UPCOMING EVENT
“An Evening with James Suckling: Mirae, The Second Release.”
Mirae means “future” in Korean, and for James Suckling and his wife Marie Kim-Suckling, it’s become personal. In January 2023, the pair took ownership of a small, historic vineyard in Martinborough, planted back in 1986 with some of New Zealand’s oldest Pinot Noir vines. Since then, it’s been quietly transformed under the guidance of master Italian viticulturist Marco Simonit, with acclaimed Martinborough winemaker Helen Masters crafting the wines. Last year’s inaugural release, just two wines made in tiny volumes, sold out in six weeks. This year’s collection expands to four, and we’re pouring all of them, guided by James himself, before the wider release.
The Wine Room, 43 College Hill, Auckland – Saturday 22nd August
6PM – 8PM | 30 Tickets | One Night Only
THE WINES
2025 WineGlobe Pinot Gris, 2025 Mirae Clayvin Chardonnay, 2025 Mirae Pinot Noir, 2025 Mirae Amphora Pinot Noir
A relaxed, standing tasting, taste your way through all four wines, graze on roaming canapés and grazing platters, and meet James in person. $95 per person. Includes a taste of the full collection, canapés and grazing platters.
Tiny production, huge demand. Last year proved it. This will sell out again. Don’t miss out!
About Great Little Vineyards
Great Little Vineyards is an Auckland based fine wine retailer and distributor built around a passion for authentic, site driven wines and the people behind them. Founded by Daniel Kemp, the business draws on a long family connection to hospitality and wine in New Zealand, harking back to some of the country’s earliest wine importing ventures. That legacy continues today through a carefully curated portfolio that champions small production growers, sustainable farming and wines with genuine character.
Often describing the team as “wine revolutionaries” and brand builders, Daniel’s philosophy centres around discovering distinctive producers early, building meaningful long term relationships and creating genuine excitement around the wines represented. The focus is not simply on selling wine, but on building stories, experiences and enduring brands within the New Zealand market.
Daniel’s M?ori heritage is also an important part of the identity behind the business and is celebrated through the Pakiaka range, named after pakiaka, the te reo M?ori word for “roots”. The symbolism of roots, connection and whakapapa is reflected throughout the wider philosophy of Great Little Vineyards, linking people, land, history and wine.
JB’s Tasting Notes.
James Suckling Wines ‘Mirae’ Pinot Gris 2025, Martinborough NZ
In the glass, clear, glossy deep – gold in colour, medium viscosity. In the nose, inviting aromatics of nashi pear, red apple, lemon citrus & honey. On the palate it’s juicy & concentrated, very fruit-focused, with fresh apple, pear & ‘seared’ pineapple fruit flavours. There’s a crisp citrus acidity & fine grip, ‘pear skin’ textures & mouthfeel, subtle mineral notes. The finish is just off-dry and very moreish. Excellent.
James Suckling Wines ‘Mirae’ Chardonnay 2025, Clayvin Vineyard, Marlborough NZ
In the glass, shiny & bright, mid straw-gold in colour, medium viscosity. In the nose, aromas of fresh peaches, nectarines, green apple & subtle oyster shell / mineral notes. On the palate it’s lush & concentrated with flavours of ripe stone-fruit & citrus all underpinned by a ‘grape-fruity’ acid drive & light creamy mouthfeel from time in barrel. Layers of texture & complexity finishing off-dry with great length. A delicious, elegant & most memorable Chardonnay. Excellent.
James Suckling Wines ‘Mirae Vineyard’ Pinot Noir 2025, Martinborough NZ
In the glass, deep translucent ruby red to garnet in colour, lighter at the rim. In the nose, fragrant, floral, sweet fruit aromas, cherries, plums, dark berries then subtle savoury, earth & spice. On the palate, it’s fruit-focused at first with flavours of sweet black cherries & dark berries, sweet spice & savoury dried herb. Medium bodied with silky smooth, ‘velvety’ tannins, a fresh acidity & subtle fine oak in a long, concentrated bone-dry but juicy finish. Excellent.
James Suckling Wines, ‘Mirae Vineyard Amphora’ Pinot Noir 2025, Martinborough NZ
In the glass, bright translucent ruby to raspberry red in colour, lighter at the rim. In the ‘very inviting’ nose, there’s aromas of red berries, red cherries, red currants, some subtle savoury and mineral notes too. On the palate, lovely concentrated & juicy fruit flavours reflecting the nose, summer cherries & raspberries, dark plum, a complex & beautifully textured mouthfeel, lightly grippy fruit tannins & a fresh juicy acidity, with subtle savoury notes. The finish is long, dry & very elegant. Excellent.