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 80% 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 Marlborough Winegrowers Association (MWG) was established over 40 years ago by elected members of the industry. Wine Marlborough was established 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 518 grape growers and 160 wine companies, accounting for over 80% 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:
Joanna May (Winepress Advertising)
Marcus Pickens (General Manager)
Sarah Linklater (Marketing & Communications Manager)
Loren Coffey (Events Manager)
Advocacy Manager
Elena Paynter (not pictured - Business Support and Finance Administrator)

Marlborough will be the world’s greatest wine region
 

Purpose | 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 

  • Future proofing the success of our members 

  • Uniting the industry to protect and grow Marlborough’s wine region

  • 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 

  • Respected to make a valued contribution 

  • Innovative to create sustainable funding and value 

  • Grounded to know what is important to our members

  • Focused to achieve sector-wide clarity on roles and responsibility 

  • Committed to developing a sustainable future

Our Role

The Wine Marlborough Strategic Plan Overview to 2023 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

  • Build understanding and culture around Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Grow

  • Develop and maintain strong and wide networks

  • Unite stakeholders, and guide and influence decision makers

  • Create distinctive culture and regional identity

Protect

  • Forecasting and research is undertaken to inform our thinking and guide our outputs

  • Wine Marlborough are the champions for Members and represent their rights and interests

  • We help Members stay ‘match fit’ 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

Board of Directors

The Marlborough Winegrowers Association Board (MWG) is made up of five wine company and five grape grower representatives. Under the Constitution of the MWG, an annual election must take place. 2023 Election Process Information.

  • Beth Forrest

    General Manager, Forrest Wines

    Beth is a proud second generation family winemaker with Forrest Wines. She says being part of the board provides her with an opportunity to be part of protecting the premium persona of Marlborough wine. “We are a young but world-leading wine region and if we continue to support the drive, passion and enthusiasm of our members we will be here for many generations to come.”

  • Tracy Johnston

    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.”

  • Jamie Marfell

    Chief winemaker Stoneleigh, Pernod Ricard Winemakers

    After entering the wine industry in 1990, Jamie joined Montana as a trainee winemaker. With a couple of decades now under his belt he has witnessed an industry that has shown unprecedented growth, in both volume and value. “With my experiences in winemaking, understanding of our global markets, and a personal passion for the industry, I want to ensure that Marlborough grows in a sustainable way, ensuring our winemaking community is supported and well informed.”

  • 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 on the New Zealand Wine Environment Committee, New Zealand and Marlborough Young Viticulturist of the Year committees, NMIT Viticulture and Wine Advisory committee, and contributes to industry working groups.

  • 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.

  • James Macdonald

    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.

  • 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.

  • Andrew Nation

    Hollowpoint Farm

    Andrew is also heavily involved in a large number of vineyards throughout the wider Marlborough as an Agribusiness Manager. Andrew is keen to ensure the industry continues to provide high quality products while ensuring positive returns filter down through all levels of the grape growing process.

  • 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.

  • 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.”