Tasting with Tillman

Some stories start with a sip. For Sam Tillman, it was a glass of Portuguese wine — sunshine, salt air, and soul, all captured in one pour. That moment turned into a mission: to bring Portugal’s hidden treasures to New Zealand.

Tillman Wine Merchants is the result of that journey — a family venture led by Sam, his father Simon, brother Nick, and sister-in-law Emma. Together, they’ve built something quietly extraordinary: a bridge between Portugal’s vineyards and Kiwi tables. With more than 250 indigenous grape varieties — the second-highest count in the world — Portugal offers a tapestry of flavours that remain surprisingly undiscovered. Each bottle tells a story of heritage, terroir, and heart.

From the organic brilliance of Esporão Colheita White 2023, aged in tulip-shaped concrete tanks and bursting with citrus-fresh purity, to the celebratory sparkle of Ataíde Semedo Cuvée Brut from Bairrada — Portugal’s best-kept secret for méthode champenoise bubbles — and the coastal charm of João Pires Rosé 2021, light, floral, and irresistibly drinkable, every pour captures a different side of Portugal’s wine soul.

And then there’s the Herdade Aldeia de Cima Reserva Red, a masterpiece from the Alentejo hills where tradition still leads the way. Crafted with patience, aged in oak and ancient clay amphorae, it’s bold yet beautifully balanced — dark fruit, spice, and a soulful depth that lingers long after the glass is empty. It’s Portugal in a bottle: rich, grounded, and unforgettable.

At its core, Tillman Wine Merchants isn’t just an importer — it’s an invitation. An invitation to discover new flavours, explore new regions, and reimagine what your glass can hold.

The CM Team is currently taste-testing a selection from the Tillman range — follow @cantabrianmagazine for exclusive tasting notes, behind-the-scenes reels, and pairing moments that bring Portugal’s vineyards to Canterbury tables.

Simple. Sophisticated. Unforgettable.

That’s Tillman Wine Merchants — and that’s Portugal, in a glass.