Kia ora and moi! Welcome to Hawke's Bay, New Zealand!

The Wine Bay Experience was born from my passion for wine, New Zealand, and teaching. Fortunately, I've had the pleasure of enjoying all these aspects both as a professional and an enthusiastic hobbyist. The company's name traces its roots back to Hawke's Bay and my hometown of Kivenlahti (Stone Bay in Finnish) in Espoo. My first encounter with wine happened when I was just a baby; apparently, I was at the checkout of Alko (liquor store) with my mother changing my diapers. I'm not sure if I believe in fate, but wines and bays have remained an integral part of my life ever since.

My journey into the world of wine began much like many other wine enthusiasts who venture out into the world: life amidst Finland's melting snowdrifts no longer felt like home, and the desire to swap slush for a life surrounded by vineyards and wine bottles grew too strong to ignore. Even though I graduated as a teacher, the allure of the fascinating world of wines continued to beckon me after swapping my wine seller's uniform for a teacher's role. After spending several years in teaching roles both in Finland and the Middle East, I decided to let my passion lead me, and thus, I found myself in the beautiful landscapes of Napier in New Zealand's Hawke's Bay.

As a wine enthusiast and avid traveller, I've visited numerous vineyards and regions both in New Zealand and around the world. Besides travelling, I've delved into the world of wines theoretically and previously earned both the WSET Level 3 in Wines certification and a Postgraduate Certificate in Wine Business and Innovation from EIT. I haven't just studied the field; I've also worked at a local winery and vineyard, gaining valuable practical experience and deepening my understanding, especially of New Zealand wine styles, viticulture, and production methods.

It would almost be a crime not to share my knowledge and experiences with other passionate wine lovers and professionals because wine always tastes better in good company. So, cheers to that or as we say in Finnish, kippis!