About Us
Wine Marlborough Ltd is the trading name of the Marlborough Winegrowers Association. We represent the interests of Marlborough grape growers and wine companies, which produce approximately 79% of New Zealand’s wine. The wine industry accounts for 20% of Marlborough’s GDP and one in five jobs in the region.
Our purpose is to proudly stand up for, and build, the reputation of Marlborough’s wine region.
Wine Marlborough GM Marcus Pickens presents the Wine Marlborough Lifetime Achievement Award to Neal and Judy Ibbotson from Saint Clair Family Estate at the Marlborough Wine Show Celebration Long Lunch 2020.
Our History
The Grape Growers Association was established in 1977 by members of the industry and later became the Marlborough Winegrowers Association (MWG). Wine Marlborough Ltd was established as a trading company for the organisation in 1992 and is 100% owned by MWG and is governed by the MWG board of directors. Explore Marlborough’s Wine History and the Wine Heritage Trail Map
Our Members
Every person or body corporate who produces grapes in Marlborough or grape wine from grapes grown in Marlborough for sale is a member. We represent 498 grape growers and 169 wine companies, accounting for over 79% of New Zealand’s wine production. Membership is automatic through the levies paid to the national wine body, New Zealand Wine.
Our Team
Contact our Team:
Marcus Pickens (General Manager)
Ngaire Lawson (Business Support and Finance Administrator)
Ruth Berry (Advocacy Manager)
Loren Coffey (Events Manager)
Sarah Linklater (Marketing and Communications Manager)
Marlborough will be the world’s greatest wine regionPurpose | Why we exist
Our purpose is to proudly stand up for, and build, the reputation of Marlborough’s wine region.
Beliefs | What we stand for
Providing leadership in times of opportunity, challenge and success.
Unite and connect the industry to build the reputation of Marlborough’s wine region
Future proofing the success of our members
Building a window for the world to fall in love with Marlborough’s wine region
Character | Who we are
Courageous to hold the industry to high standards
Innovative to create sustainable funding and value
Focused to achieve sector-wide clarity on roles and responsibility
Respected to make a valued contribution
Grounded to know what is important to our Members
Committed to developing a sustainable future
Our RoleThe Wine Marlborough Strategic Plan Overview to 2026 sets the following four pillars to execute our plan.
Educate
We’re used as the key source of information for Marlborough’s wine region
Highlight key issues and support Members understanding
Influence community
understanding around Social
License
Grow
Develop and maintain strong and wide networks
Unite stakeholders and guide and influence decision-makers
Create a distinctive culture and regional identity
Protect
Bring to life our global recognition, leadership and pride in Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Wine Marlborough are the champions for Members and represent their rights and interests
We help Members stay ‘matchfit’ by supporting their resilience and wellbeing
Celebrate
Events are used to help Members shine, sell and create relationships
We celebrate the activity of our Members and community that reflect our region’s unique reputation
The Marlborough wine story is clear and understood by Members, industry, stakeholders, community and consumers
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James Macdonald
Chair
Hunter's Wines (NZ) Limited
Growing up at Hunter’s provided James with a diverse range of experiences across viticulture, winemaking, bottling and sales. He is now Senior Winemaker at Hunter’s, where they have this year proudly bottled their 40th vintage of Sauvignon Blanc. Prior to returning to Marlborough, James worked as a winemaker in Bordeaux and Australia. These roles gave James appreciation of the vast scale of the global wine industry and the unique position that our region holds.
james@hunters.co.nz
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Tracy Johnston
Deputy Chair
Co-owner, Dayvinleigh Vineyards
Tracy is a destination marketer and says Marlborough’s reputation as an internationally acclaimed wine region is a key driver of visitation to the area. “I believe there is greater potential to further develop high-value wine tourism experiences that will both attract visitors and turn them into life-long loyal customers of Marlborough wine.”
tracy@dayvinleigh.co.nz -
Michiel Eradus
Eradus Wines
Michiel has been involved with the wine industry in Marlborough since 2003. During this time he has become, and is still a grape grower, a winery owner and a labour contractor. The last 18 years has shown Michiel how important it is for all three disciplines to work together, or at least respect each-others situation and position.
michiel@eraduswines.co.nz
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Nigel Sowman
NJ & KA Sowman Partnership
Born and raised in Blenheim, Nigel is a 5th generation local who has over 20 years’ experience in the local wine industry. Nigel completed the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme in 2017 and currently holds roles roles as a trustee of the Marlborough Environment Awards Trust and contributes to industry working groups.
nigel@dogpoint.co.nz
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Pierre Vienings
Winemaker, Booster Wine Group
Originally from Stellenbosch, South Africa, Pierre has been involved in winemaking for over 20 years. He is proud to be part of the Marlborough wine community and says “I want to ensure “Brand Marlborough” is protected and that our industry prospers, so that we can build on the premium status and diversity of Marlborough wine.”
Pierre.Vienings@boosterwinegroup.nz
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Damien Yvon
Clos Henri Ltd
Born and raised in the Loire Valley of France, Damien has been the Winemaker and General Manager of Clos Henri for the past 15 years. As a member of the Marlborough Winegrowers Association board, Damien immensely values the opportunity to further build on the great work the board and associated staff have achieved over the years.
damien@closhenri.com
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Drew Ellis
Marlborough Grape Growers Cooperative
Originally from Long Island, New York, Drew arrived in Marlborough in 2003 and has held various roles in both viticulture and winemaking, before taking up an opportunity to work directly with growers in 2007 with the Marlborough Grape Growers Cooperative from its inception in 2012. After 20 years in Marlborough, Drew has first-hand knowledge of the highs and lows of the wine industry and believes now more than ever, it is a time to be agile and to question why we do the things we do.
drew@mggcoop.co.nz
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Bryn Cotching
Breezemere Limited
Bryn is fully involved in all day-to-day tasks of running a family livestock and grape/wine-producing business based in the Awatere Valley and Brancott Road. Bryn’s family has a long history in Marlborough agriculture and viticulture, and he feels excited about future generations continuing on this legacy. “I have the skills to bring a good, hands-on grower voice to the board room, so we can continue to move forward and retain our position as one of the premier wine growing regions in the world.”
breezemere@hotmail.com
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Belinda Jackson
Lawson’s Dry Hills
With almost 40 years in the wine industry working in vineyards, wineries and buying, marketing and selling wine, Belinda is sales and marketing manager with a particular interest in driving environmental sustainability. Belinda is "a proactive, ‘big picture’, strategic thinker, bringing innovative commercial and community initiatives to life" and wants to support the region by her representation on the board.
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Steve Crockett
Ashford Vineyards
Steve has deep roots in Marlborough and a wide range of connections within and outside the wine industry created through a large family, a previous career in education as a primary school principal and long involvement and service through local club rugby. He is also a grape grower in the Lower Wairau. Steve is passionate about supporting Marlborough grape growers in achieving sustainable growth, embracing innovation, and fostering a strong, united community.