Whitianga Fine Wines and Spirits

05/09/2026

Finally back where i belong! Feeling super emotional and excited at the moment. Come say hi if you're around-I'd absolutely love to see y'all🥂❤️‍🩹

01/09/2026

I think it’s finally time to say… I’m coming back to my first baby Whitianga Fine Wines and Spirits
Some of you already know that I arrived back in New Zealand last month after being away for half a year due to my spinal surgery.

Before coming back to the shop, Gary and I took a little time for ourselves and escaped down to the South Island for a little getaway. After spending six months apart, we really needed that time together.

I’ve been back in our little town for a week now… and gosh, it feels good to be home. 🥹
Everything feels fresh again. The beach, our streets, the familiar faces, people stopping for a hello… I’ve had tears in my eyes more than once.

All the love you sent my way were a bigger part of my healing than you’ll ever know. I’ll never forget it.Y'all mean world to me.
So this Saturday, 5th September, I’ll finally be back behind my counter.

Come in, give me a hug, tell me what I’ve missed, have one of our good old catch-ups. You don’t even need to buy anything. ❤️ Just come and say hi.

This time away taught me many things, but perhaps the biggest one was this… sometimes you have to leave home to realise just how deeply you belong there.♥️♥️
I’ve missed my shop, but I’ve missed the people who walk through its doors even more.

See you Saturday, Whitianga.
Love
Rreema

We are passionate about what we sell, whether you are after wine (local, national or international), beer (craft, ale, lager, or fill-your-own riggers), spirits we can help you find just what you are after or assist you in picking something extra special.

13/07/2026

I'm coming home. ❤️

As promised, I've been keeping you all updated on my health journey... and this is my favourite update yet.

After what feels like forever, I can finally say those words... and I honestly can't wait.

Next month I'll be heading back to my happy place – Whitianga.

If there's one thing these past six months have taught me, it's just how lucky I am to call Whitianga home.

After living and working in this beautiful town for the past 12 years, I never realised just how much love surrounded me. The messages, the prayers, the check-ins, the kindness from customers, friends and people I barely even knew... they carried me through some of my darkest days. There were moments when I sat reading your messages with tears streaming down my face because I simply couldn't believe so many people cared.

You all gave me something no surgery or medicine ever could... HOPE.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you. I will never be able to repay the love you've shown me, but I promise I'll spend the years ahead giving back to this incredible community that's given me so much. I'm excited to be home, excited for what's ahead, and excited to create many more memories together.

When I get home, I'll be having another couple of weeks to rest before I'm back behind the counter. I'll be taking things nice and slowly to start with, so if you see me moving a little slower than usual... you'll know why! ❤️

Thank you all for sticking by me while I found my feet again. Home really is where the heart is... and mine has been in Whitianga this whole time.

See you very soon.

Love always,

Rreema ❤️

27/05/2026

Hi everyone, it’s Rreema here again♥️
These past few months away from Whitianga and the store have honestly been some of the hardest of my life. But through it all, the love, messages, prayers, and kindness from this beautiful town have healed me in ways I can’t even explain!
Gary just visited me and has now gone back home to Whitianga. Saying goodbye to him again broke me a little. The two of us have spent the last 15 years working our butts off in this town, building our dreams little by little. From licensing days to now somehow completing 6 years of Whitianga Fine Wines… our first baby always ❤️

Winter was always our favourite season because it meant wine tasting nights 🍷❤️
Those evenings became such a loved part of Whitianga — full of laughter, familiar faces, and beautiful memories. Somehow they always became the talk of the town 😄
I miss those nights and all of you so much.

Maybe life wanted me to slow down, heal, and spend time with family for a little while ❤️ Recovery is slowly happening, and hopefully in another couple of months I’ll finally be back where my heart feels happiest — home, with all of you.

Thank you for loving our little store like it’s your own. We feel that love every single day ❤️

With all my love always,
Rreema Makhhni

We are passionate about what we sell, whether you are after wine (local, national or international), beer (craft, ale, lager, or fill-your-own riggers), spirits we can help you find just what you are after or assist you in picking something extra special.

31/03/2026

🐣 EASTER HOURS (Read this before you panic-buy on Friday) 🐣

●Thursday: 10am – 8pm
This is your warning. Act accordingly.

●Friday: ❌ CLOSED
No, we won’t “just open for 5 mins.”
No, knocking won’t help.
Yes, we’ve heard it all before.

●Saturday: 10am – 8pm
Redemption day. Don’t mess it up twice.

●Sunday: ❌ CLOSED
Go spend time with your relatives.
Or at least pretend to.

●Monday: 10am – 8pm
We’re back… and so are your questionable decisions 🍷

🐰 Hot tip:
If you’re reading this on Friday… it’s already too late.

18/03/2026

Who’s trying this first? 👀
NEW from Batched (and honestly… they’ve been dropping hit after hit)
Espresso S’moretini = bold cold brew ☕ + smooth vodka + marshmallow + rich chocolate + a cheeky hint of biscuit🥂

Basically… Easter in a glass 🐣
We didn’t invent it… but we did bring it to Whitianga first 😌

Be quick — this one won’t last past Easter 👀

14/03/2026

Thank You for carrying me in your prayers🙏
Hi everyone, It's Rreema here again❤️
I’ve been meaning to share an update with you all.
It’s now been two weeks since my spinal surgery here in India. To be honest, these past two weeks have been some of the toughest days I’ve ever faced — physically and emotionally. There were moments of intense pain, sleepless nights, and times where everything just felt overwhelming. Recovery hasn’t been easy, and there were days when even the smallest movements felt like a mountain to climb.
But yesterday my stitches were finally removed, and for the first time I felt a deep sense of relief. It felt like a real turning point in my healing.
And today, on my birthday, it feels like more than just another year — it feels like a rebirth. A new chapter to slowly heal, rebuild, and come back stronger.

To everyone who prayed for me, sentmessages, and kept me in their thoughts — thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your love carried me through some very difficult moments and reminded me how blessed I truly am.

My heart is full of gratitude today ❤️

With love,
Reema

25/02/2026

Hi everyone, it’s Rreema here ❤️

It's been a little while since I've posted and
wanted to share a little personal update with all of you. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been struggling with severe back pain, and it’s been a tough journey. Finding appointments with the right specialists was challenging, and as my condition gradually worsened, I realized that I couldn’t wait any longer. I had to make a big decision—so I flew to India to get the medical help I urgently needed. In a couple of days, I’ll be undergoing spinal surgery.
Being away from the store—and from all of you—is harder than I imagined. Whitianga Fine Wines & Spirits has always been more than just a workplace for me; it’s a community, a family, and a place that brings so much joy to my heart.
I feel incredibly blessed knowing that Gary and our amazing team are holding everything down while I focus on my healing.
Your love, support, and kindness over the years mean more than we can ever express.
I promise to keep you all posted along my journey towards better health. I’m determined to come back stronger, healthier, and with an even deeper appreciation for this wonderful community we’ve built together.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your patience, your warmth, and for always being there. It means the world to me.

With all my love and gratitude,
Reema ❤️

13/02/2026

Love is in the air, Whitianga 💖

Valentine’s is about thoughtful gestures and meaningful moments. We love seeing you all come in and choose something special for someone they care about.

From this blingy little heart flask ✨ to our shelves filled with beautiful bottles and gift ideas — we’re ready to help you find the perfect surprise.
Thank you for supporting local and letting us be part of your celebrations 💕

08/02/2026

When your job, your people & your town become your whole personality🥂
This little caricature trend pretty much sums me up 😄
Wine in hand, shelves full, my pug close by, and surrounded by the best customers in the world.

Whitianga Fine Wines & Spirits isn’t just a store to me — it’s community, chats at the counter, laughs, recommendations, and familiar faces that make even the busiest days worth it.

So grateful for Whitianga, for everyone who supports local, and for every single one of you who walks through our doors 💙
(And yes… the pug approves 🐶🍇)