Mary-Therese Blair — aka MermaidMary

Wine adventuress • Organics advocate • Novice gardener • Proud New Zealander

Irish by birth, Kiwi by sheer good luck.

My love affair with wine began long before I landed in New Zealand in 2007 but moving here transformed it into a full-blown obsession. The stunning diversity of varietals, the passionate producers & the ever-evolving wine scene completely blew my mind. There was no going back.

I’m WSET-qualified & on a constant journey to deepen my wine knowledge, because wine, like life, is all about learning, tasting, & evolving. But let’s get one thing clear: I’m proudly not an oenophile. In fact, I’m passionately anti-wine wank.

Wine should be savoured, shared & spoken about in a way that’s inclusive, not intimidating. My mission is to celebrate great wines while making wine talk feel natural, accessible, and fun. No confusing jargon. No gatekeeping. Just good wine, great stories & even better company.

When I’m not drinking wine, I’m writing about it for Cuisine Magazine, NZ House & Garden & other publications, or hosting & MCing wine events across Aotearoa. In my off-hours, you’ll find me with my husband & son, getting muddy in the garden, or chasing the next perfect cocktail - or wine adventure.