MARK HOLLAND

Although a recent arrival to hospitality, my passion for all things wine was inspired, almost 25 years ago, by an employer, a man whose enthusiasm for the new direction of New Zealand winemaking and the classic Old World wines was boundless.

In that time I have had many wonderful experiences: owned a small boutique wine shop, seen the development of New Zealand's fledgling wine industry into an international player; met many of the personalities who make the wine, and of course I have had the opportunity of tasting a great many fabulous wines from around the world.

All of this has given me the knowledge and confidence in our local wines to build the wine programme at Soul, resulting in a winelist unashamedly New Zealand, the perfect foil for the fresh local ingredients we use on our menu.