Hannah Wells: a local guide to wine

Wine connoisseur and bar owner Hannah Wells regularly visits regional vineyards and the city’s wine bars. She knows a quality red and white when she tastes one and where the best atmosphere is served. 

A bar is never too far

The clink of wine glass against wine glass is a happy sound for many — it denotes the end of a workday, relaxing with friends, or a great meal. Hannah Wells owns the inner-city wine bar Puffin on Ghuznee Street. Like many hospitality people, she regularly supports other businesses, talks shop and discovers new trends. 

“Where I head out for a drink depends on what I’m in the mood for, but the neighbourhood around Puffin has me covered.” Being on Ghuznee Street, Puffin is adjacent to Cuba Street and many hidden hospitality hotspots. “Obviously, Nobel Rot has an amazing range on their wine list — the sommelier really knows what he’s doing. Our friends at The Ram are an easy choice as well. They’ve created a great, relaxed atmosphere.” It’s not all wine for Hannah, though – “Sometimes I just want to relax with a beer, so I will head across the road to Rouge and Vagabond.” If she’s looking for something stronger, she’ll head down a set of basement stairs on Cuba Mall to Dee’s Place, where the lighting is low, and the whiskey is strong. 

Good food deserves a good wine accompaniment. Wellington has many excellent restaurants where the wine list is as fine as the menu. Hannah lives in Mount Victoria, a few blocks from Ortega Fish Shack. Its drink list is so long it’s broken up into chapters. “The selection is so different to Puffin’s, so it’s always fun finding something new.” In Aro Valley, another city fringe suburb, you’ll find another favourite of Hannah’s. Rita is housed in a former colonial cottage. It only seats 30 and has a small and succinct wine list. “Everything on the list is amazing, from international to local wineries, and there are unexpected finds that always excite me,” says Hannah. 

Puffin, where Hannah works, specialises in organic, natural, and low-intervention wines. This means there is a different palette of flavours offered to other wine lists. Hannah travels across to Wairarapa regularly to source wines that fit the bill. “We do a lot of work with Grava and Devotus Vineyard in Martinborough. They are both small operators who have time to care.” Both concentrate on organic farming and have sustainable practices.   

As Wellington is ringed by a lush town belt, a good nature walk is never far away. Hannah’s first choice is Tanera Park between Aro Valley and Brooklyn. “Once you make the climb from Epuni Street, you have the choice of amazing views back across Aro Valley or down into the city.” A fine view deserves fine wine and fine food, so Hannah packs a picnic stocked with goodies from local suppliers. “I’d start with bread from Shelly Bay Bakery around the corner in Leeds Street and Sicilian green olives from Moore Wilsons.” Apostle Hot Sauce, made in Paekakariki, also makes it into the picnic basket along with cheese supplied by James Thomas and cured meats from The Lady Butcher. And the wine? From Puffin, of course.