Wine First: Season 3
Join our hosts as they travel through Great Britain and Malta to meet passionate winemakers, where each stop reveals distinctive wines shaped by place, climate, and craft. From carefully selecting standout bottles to putting them to the test in the kitchen, they challenge a talented chef to create unforgettable dishes where every pairing follows one guiding principle: Wine First.
Wine, food, and moments we will never forget â this is Wine First.
Episode 1 - Nyetimber, Great Britain
Wine First heads to England, where Liora and Maya begin their journey in vibrant London before setting their sights on the rolling hills of West Sussex. Here lies the celebrated Nyetimber estate, a pioneer of English sparkling wine and one of the countryâs most internationally respected producers.
Founded in the late 1980s, Nyetimber has become synonymous with precision, patience, and terroir-driven winemaking, crafting sparkling wines that consistently stand alongside the worldâs finest. Under the guidance of winemaker Cherie Spriggs, one of the most acclaimed sparkling wine producers in the world, and owner Eric Heerema, the estate has refined a style defined by elegance, tension, and purity.
Working closely with a dedicated vineyard and cellar team, every bottle is shaped by Englandâs cool climate and ancient chalk soils, conditions that mirror the great sparkling regions of the world, yet bring a distinctly English character.
From this foundation, Liora and Maya explore how a new generation of English wine is redefining expectations, before continuing their search for perfect culinary pairings where wine always leads the way.
Episode 2 - Malta
Join Liora Levi and local wine expert Joseph Bonello as Wine First travels to sun-drenched Malta, where ancient history, vibrant Mediterranean culture, and rediscovered indigenous grape varieties come together to form a truly distinctive wine identity.
From intimate, family-run estates to pioneering producers reviving forgotten Maltese grapes, the journey reveals a wine scene rooted in tradition yet driven by bold innovation. Along the way, they taste everything from sparkling wines to expressive Syrah blends and rare local varieties brought back from the brink of extinction.
Back in Valletta, chef Max faces the ultimate challenge: transforming Liora and Josephâs selections into perfectly balanced dishes where every plate is built around the wine. The result is a celebration of heritage, creativity, and the unmistakable character of Maltese wine.
Episode 3 - Malta: The return
Wine First returns to Malta for a deeper exploration of the islandâs evolving wine culture. Liora and Joseph journey through a diverse landscape of producers from the family traditions of San Niklaw, to the refined craftsmanship of Meridiana, and the bold, modern experimentation at Markus Divinus.
Each winery reveals a different face of Maltese winemaking, and together they select a collection of wines that will challenge the culinary team to think differently about pairing and flavor.
The journey continues on the island of Gozo, where ancient stone wine presses offer a glimpse into Maltaâs winemaking origins. The day concludes in true Maltese style around a generous table filled with local dishes, stories, and shared passion for wine.
A celebration of past, present, and the future of Maltese wine.
Episode 4 - Best of Wine First
Join us on a sparkling journey through the highlights of two seasons of Wine First. From the steep Riesling slopes of the Mosel Valley and the elegant cellars of Vienna, to the bold wines of the Douro and the tango-filled vineyards of Mendoza, this is a celebration of discovery, craftsmanship, and connection.
Along the way, we meet passionate winemakers, chefs pushing culinary boundaries, and a hosting team who taste, learn, and laugh their way through some of the worldâs most remarkable wine regions.
Wine, food, and unforgettable moments, this is the very best of Wine First. Cheers!