What does it take to become known as the “King of Chardonnay”?

In this episode of the Halliday Wine Companion Podcast, we sit down with New Zealand winemaking legend Tony Bish to unpack a career that broke every rule.

From dropping out of law school to pioneering chardonnay in Hawke’s Bay, Tony shares the raw, unfiltered story behind building a globally respected wine label.

We go deep on:
Why chardonnay became his singular obsession
The early days of New Zealand’s wine industry
How innovation in fermentation (including concrete and oak eggs) changed everything
The brutal realities of partnerships, risk, and starting over
What truly separates great wine from average wine

This is not just a conversation about wine. It’s about conviction, craft, and backing yourself when nothing is guaranteed.

The Halliday Wine Companion Podcast is hosted by Halliday editor Anna Webster.

Tony Bish Wines

Tony Bish on Instagram

Halliday Wine Companion

Halliday Wine Companion on Instagram

Anna Webster on Instagram

Buy the 2026 Halliday Wine Companion

 

00:00 – Meet Tony Bish: New Zealand’s King of Chardonnay

02:09 – The moment wine “bit” and changed everything

03:51 – How New Zealand’s wine industry was rebuilt from scratch

05:24 – The rapid rise of sauvignon blanc and global success

10:59 – Starting a wine label with $3000 and selling out instantly

15:29 – The brutal lesson that cost him everything

23:52 – Why chardonnay needed to be reinvented

25:01 – The breakthrough: cold fermentation in barrels

27:55 – Leaving a big company to go all-in on chardonnay

29:38 – “Fat & Sassy”: disrupting chardonnay’s reputation

31:06 – The Golden Egg: redefining fermentation

33:47 – Why innovation matters more than tradition

40:06 – Creating a world-first chardonnay in an oak egg

46:18 – What actually makes great wine (hint: it’s not just technique)

58:20 – The obsession with perfection in blending

01:03:28 – What’s next for Tony Bish





Tony Bish, Chardonnay wine, New Zealand wine, Hawke’s Bay wine, winemaking process, wine podcast, wine innovation, Chardonnay fermentation, concrete egg fermentation, oak egg wine, wine industry insights, Halliday Wine Companion

 

What does it take to become known as the &ldquo;King of Chardonnay&rdquo;?
In this episode of the Halliday Wine Companion Podcast, we sit down with New Zealand winemaking legend Tony Bish to unpack a career that broke every rule.
From dropping out of law school to pioneering chardonnay in Hawke&rsquo;s Bay, Tony shares the raw, unfiltered story behind building a globally respected wine label.
We go deep on:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Why chardonnay became his singular obsession</li>
<li aria-level="1">The early days of New Zealand&rsquo;s wine industry</li>
<li aria-level="1">How innovation in fermentation (including concrete and oak eggs) changed everything</li>
<li aria-level="1">The brutal realities of partnerships, risk, and starting over</li>
<li aria-level="1">What truly separates great wine from average wine</li>
</ul>
This is not just a conversation about wine. It&rsquo;s about conviction, craft, and backing yourself when nothing is guaranteed.
The Halliday Wine Companion Podcast is hosted by Halliday editor Anna Webster.
<a href="https://tonybishwines.co.nz/">Tony Bish Wines</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/tonybish.wines/">Tony Bish on Instagram</a>
<a href="https://winecompanion.com.au/">Halliday Wine Companion</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/winecompanion/">Halliday&nbsp;Wine Companion on Instagram</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/annawebster_">Anna Webster on Instagram</a>
<a href="https://shop.winecompanion.com.au/products/2026-halliday-wine-companion">Buy the 2026 Halliday Wine Companion</a>
&nbsp;
00:00 &ndash; Meet Tony Bish: New Zealand&rsquo;s King of Chardonnay
02:09 &ndash; The moment wine &ldquo;bit&rdquo; and changed everything
03:51 &ndash; How New Zealand&rsquo;s wine industry was rebuilt from scratch
05:24 &ndash; The rapid rise of sauvignon blanc and global success
10:59 &ndash; Starting a wine label with $3000 and selling out instantly
15:29 &ndash; The brutal lesson that cost him everything
23:52 &ndash; Why chardonnay needed to be reinvented
25:01 &ndash; The breakthrough: cold fermentation in barrels
27:55 &ndash; Leaving a big company to go all-in on chardonnay
29:38 &ndash; &ldquo;Fat &amp; Sassy&rdquo;: disrupting chardonnay&rsquo;s reputation
31:06 &ndash; The Golden Egg: redefining fermentation
33:47 &ndash; Why innovation matters more than tradition
40:06 &ndash; Creating a world-first chardonnay in an oak egg
46:18 &ndash; What actually makes great wine (hint: it&rsquo;s not just technique)
58:20 &ndash; The obsession with perfection in blending
01:03:28 &ndash; What&rsquo;s next for Tony Bish
 
Tony Bish, Chardonnay wine, New Zealand wine, Hawke&rsquo;s Bay wine, winemaking process, wine podcast, wine innovation, Chardonnay fermentation, concrete egg fermentation, oak egg wine, wine industry insights, Halliday Wine Companion
&nbsp;

The Halliday Wine Companion Podcast (formerly known as By The Glass) is back with a new look, a new host, and a bunch of new and exciting guests.

 Join Halliday editor Anna Webster as she sits down with industry experts – including winemakers, sommeliers, distillers, critics, retailers, and more – to chat about, unpack and explore a range of wine- and drinks-related topics.

From interviews with top producers and the stories behind your favourite bottles, to the science of cellaring, deep dives into wine regions and grape varieties, and much more, this fun and conversational podcast is essential listening for anyone who loves wine.

So, pour a glass and settle in.

The Halliday Wine Companion Podcast (formerly known as By The Glass) is back with a new look, a new host, and a bunch of new and exciting guests.
&nbsp;Join Halliday editor Anna Webster as she sits down with industry experts &ndash; including winemakers, sommeliers, distillers, critics, retailers, and more &ndash; to chat about, unpack and explore a range of wine- and drinks-related topics.
From interviews with top producers and the stories behind your favourite bottles, to the science of cellaring, deep dives into wine regions and grape varieties, and much more, this fun and conversational podcast is essential listening for anyone who loves wine.
So, pour a glass and settle in.

The Halliday Wine Companion Podcast is back with a new look, a new host, and a bunch of new and exciting guests.

Halliday Wine Companion

The Halliday Wine Companion Podcast (formerly known as By The Glass) is back with a new look, a new host, and a bunch of new and exciting guests.

Join Halliday editor Anna Webster as she sits down with industry experts – including winemakers, sommeliers, distillers, critics, retailers, and more – to chat about, unpack and explore a range of wine- and drinks-related topics.

From interviews with top producers and the stories behind your favourite bottles, to the science of cellaring, deep dives into wine regions and grape varieties, and much more, this fun and conversational podcast is essential listening for anyone who loves wine.

So, pour a glass and settle in.

The Halliday Wine Companion Podcast (formerly known as By The Glass) is back with a new look, a new host, and a bunch of new and exciting guests.
Join Halliday editor Anna Webster as she sits down with industry experts &ndash; including winemakers, sommeliers, distillers, critics, retailers, and more &ndash; to chat about, unpack and explore a range of wine- and drinks-related topics.
From interviews with top producers and the stories behind your favourite bottles, to the science of cellaring, deep dives into wine regions and grape varieties, and much more, this fun and conversational podcast is essential listening for anyone who loves wine.
So, pour a glass and settle in.