Graham Norton’s passion for the perfect vintage has clearly paid off. Since 2014 he’s been producing his own wine with sales rocketing by 396% year on year. In 2024, GN Sauvignon Blanc was the fastest-growing major wine brand in the UK with Brits enjoying a glass every two seconds.

Graham travelled to the Awatere Valley in Marlborough, New Zealand, for the latest harvest to help with grape picking, tasting juice samples, and assessing fruit quality. “New Zealand produces some of the world’s best sauvignon blanc, in my opinion,” he says. “It’s incredible to think that what began as a small, limited-edition run of GN New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc has grown into a global brand.

“Now, here we are harvesting grapes in Marlborough for our 12th vintage! I don’t just put my name to the wines - I’m involved in the process, which makes being here in this stunning region for harvest all the more special.”

The star produces his wine in partnership with New Zealand winery Invivo, co-founded by school friends Tim Lightbourne and Rob Cameron in 2008. “Graham has always been hands-on - he personally tastes, blends, and signs off on every vintage with us to ensure his favourite wine is made to his exact taste preferences,” Rob says.

“To welcome him to our vineyard and experience the magic of Marlborough firsthand was a real highlight for all of us.” The long-standing partnership between Graham and Invivo began in 2014 with a single New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and has since evolved into an internationally acclaimed portfolio, now including 10 distinctive wines and spirits and earning more than 300 accolades.

Today, GN Wines is a top-selling brand and commercial success in multiple markets, including the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, USA and Japan. Alongside surging sales in the UK, it has been named a top 20 wine brand in Ireland for four years in a row with Sauvignon Blanc sales up 47%.

Meanwhile, in the US, sales have jumped by 28%. GN Sauvignon Blanc is available across the UK and Ireland in Tesco, Morrisons, Booker Group, Ocado, Phillip Russel, Supervalu and more (RRP: £9).