People

Starting in the wine industry as a Cellar hand in 1990, Patrick worked his way up, accumulating an enormous amount of knowledge and experience across a plethora of roles. As our Director of Winegrowing, Patrick takes responsibility for our winemaking and viticulture strategies, all with the goal of ensuring that we continue to craft wines that showcase the best of New Zealand.

Richard has the experience of winemaking in different wine regions around New Zealand including Central Otago, Canterbury and Nelson. He has also worked a number of vintages in the U.S.A., in Oregon and Washington, where he fell in love with complex red wines. We are delighted to see him take on this new role from the 2022 vintage.

Dave began his career in wine at Villa Maria in 2002 as a cellar hand. His flair for winemaking was apparent from the outset and having developed his skill and knowledge across all of Villa Maria’s wines, he was promoted to Senior Auckland Winemaker in 2015. During his career he has worked vintages in Oregon and Washington State and has judged at various wine
shows and competitions in New Zealand over the last 10 years. Dave believes winemaking requires a strong appreciation of art, plus an understanding of science.

Helen’s passion for wine encouraged her decision to change her career path, completing her Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology as the top female student at Lincoln University, Christchurch in 2005. Helen joined our Marlborough team in January 2014 and loves working for such an iconic, well-awarded, winemaking family. If she hadn’t followed a career in wine she says she might have gone to the ‘dark side’ and become a beer brewer!