Jing SONG

Jing Song is someone who tackles life head-on. At just 14, Jing made the solo move to New Zealand for school, navigating a foreign culture and new language alone. Then, years later, and with no background in viticulture, a chance encounter sparked Jing’s interest in wine, and she established Crown Range Cellar. Since then, the wine entrepreneur’s creative journey has seen her traverse the Gobi Desert with fellow winemaker Grant Taylor and jewelry mogul Sir Michael Hill, collaborate with Bordeaux wine legend Patrick Léon in France, and shake up the often insular wine industry with her wins at the illustrious International Wine & Spirit Competition. Currently based in the charming neighborhood of Parnell in Auckland, we chat with Jing about her grandmother’s cooking, overcoming challenges, crying on flights, and her Auckland Travel Playbook.