Smith & Sheth

Steve Smith MW and Brian Sheth share a passion for life’s finest pleasures: exceptional wine, the beauty of Aotearoa New Zealand, and the joy of meaningful experiences. Their journey began in Hawke’s Bay over a glass of Chardonnay, where a shared vision took root. In 2014, that vision became reality — a partnership dedicated to crafting world-class wines from extraordinary vineyards and creating moments to share them with like-minded enthusiasts.

Steve Smith MW is one of New Zealand’s most respected figures in the wine industry. Renowned for founding Craggy Range in Hawke’s Bay and Martinborough, he is also one of the few Masters of Wine based in New Zealand — a distinction that reflects both expertise and global recognition.

Together, as contemporary négociants, Smith and Sheth pursue only the exceptional. They hand-select outstanding fruit from some of New Zealand’s finest vineyards, building enduring relationships with the land, growers, and makers who form the very DNA of their CRU wines. The French speak of terroir — a profound sense of place expressed through wine. In New Zealand, there is a word that captures this connection just as powerfully: Tūrangawaewae — our place to stand in the world. It speaks to the deep bond between people and the land they live on, cherish, and cultivate.

Smith & Sheth wines embody the magic and alchemy of this relationship, expressing the authenticity and beauty of their origins. The Smith & Sheth Heretaunga Chardonnay is no exception — a wine that reflects both place and purpose with elegance and integrity.

Accolades & Awards

93 points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate