Our Vineyard Managers

Nev Gane

The Woolshed Vineyard Manager, Marlborough

Born and raised on a sheep and cropping property in Marlborough, Nev is the fifth generation from a Marlborough farming family all in viticulture today. Nev was involved in planting and developing the Woolshed Vineyard and has been working for the company since April 2003. He always knew he would have a farming career and thrives on the different challenges that every growing season offers. He cannot remember two seasons ever being the same.

The Woolshed Vineyard

Stephen Dempster

Group Viticulturist

Stephen is responsible for ensuring our grapes meet the required high quality targets for the wine styles we produce. He offers technical support to our growers and vineyards and has the unenviable role of coordinating all the fruit intake into the wineries during harvest.

Stephen really enjoys the harvest period, with the culmination of everyone’s hard work and effort through the season, turning into great wine.

Jean-Luc Dufour

Waipara Valley Vineyards Manager

Swiss born Jean-Luc has a family history of four generations of grape growing in Europe. Jean-Luc began studying viticulture in his home country of Switzerland. He then went on to work in vineyards in Europe and USA before immigrating to New Zealand, and moving to the Waipara Valley. He has been a viticulturist for more than 20 years, and has spent 16 of these years at the Home Block Vineyard in the Waiapra Valley.

Over the years Jean-Luc's interest in natural methods of pest and disease management for vineyards has grown. Jean-Luc has spent the last few years working on improving the vineyard's biodiversity. His initiatives include; avoiding the use of insecticide for leaf roller caterpillar, the planting of buckwheat to attract insects that are natural pest controllers, and working with Lincoln University entymologists to indentify which New Zealand native plants can be used to attract beneficial insects to the vineyard.

The Home Block Vineyard
The Deans Vineyard
The Mound Vineyard

Duncan Cramp, Central Otago

Golden Terraces Vineyard Manager, Central Otago

A former farmer from Zimbabwe, Duncan and his family moved to New Zealand 8 years ago. Duncan has more than 30 years farming experience including horticulture and moving into viticulture was a natural progression with his cropping knowledge. Fiercely passionate about working on the land Duncan was involved in developing the Golden Terraces Vineyard and has a vigilant team passionate about growing exceptional grapes in the harsh Central Otago environment.

Golden Terraces Vineyard