Wanaka wines are crafted by Dr. Brent Trela, whose winemaking journey began in his native Washington State in 1989 and has since spanned the globe—from the ancient wine traditions of the Caucasus, to the emerging New Old World of China, and across renowned and frontier wine regions throughout the Southern Hemisphere and beyond.
Each wine is made with individual care, scientific precision, and limited production intent, using select fruit sourced from exceptional growing sites. While the vine remains our central focus, we celebrate biodiversity and regional expression through distinctive fruit wines ranging from fresh, vibrant bottlings for the moment to cellar-worthy wines built for age—each equally suited for contemplative sipping and meaningful celebration.
Wanaka wines are available online and through a curated selection of specialty shops and restaurant partners.
Beyond the bottle, Dr. Brent Trela offers more than three decades of global expertise in winemaking, fermentation science, and winery development. Comprehensive consulting services are available for wineries, growers, processors, and value-added beverage ventures seeking technical excellence from concept through commercialization.
At Wanaka, our mission is not only to share our wines, but to share our enduring love of wine, food, and the table that brings people together.
Bee Trela leads our culinary pairings and hospitality experiences, drawing on her years of international food, service, and cultural hospitality expertise to create thoughtful pairings and memorable moments around every glass.
We are excited to share the next chapter of Wanaka, including upcoming projects:
- Tasting Room
- Wine Bar
- Food & Beverage Experiences
- Wine Club
For updates, collaborations, consulting inquiries, or questions, we invite you to connect with us online.