Cahn's Wines & Spirits

Cahn's Wines & Spirits was opened in July 2019. Martin 'Cahn' Cahnbley has been in the alcoholic beverage business since 1987, and his endeavours have included long stints in senior marketing roles with liquor companies, 3.5 years as a restaurant owner, and also a previous foray into alcohol retailing at 'Toast Fine Wines' in Ponsonby.

Martin started in the wine trade in South Africa at Gilbey's Distillers and Vintners. Thereafter, he joined Penfolds/Southcorp in Australia in 1993 before crossing the ditch to join Corbans Wines in 1998. In 2003, he launched Planet Wine, which imports and distributes over 700 products from 12 countries.

In late 2022, he was joined at Cahn’s by Tristan Hemi Colenso, a musician (Clap Clap Riot) and well-seasoned barman (cocktail shaker) impressing at Golden Dawn in its heyday who has also worked in wine retail for a number of years. Their main principle is to create a hub where interested wine and spirit consumers can meet and be regaled with stories and facts about the products and producers.

More recently, they have been joined by Frankie Gototweski ('Go To Whisky'). From being a regular customer, Frankie has joined the team on a part-time basis. His passion is whisky, and he is quickly becoming our go-to whisky man.

Between the three, they have a broad and deep knowledge and love of alcoholic beverages from around the world.