Stu Marfell

GROUP CHIEF WINEMAKER

Born and raised in the Awatere, as a child Stu witnessed an exciting transformation from a quiet pastoral farming region to celebrated grape growing appellation as Vavasour forged a new frontier in winemaking. As a nine-year-old he was at the winery for that first revelatory vintage of 1989 – and caught the winemaking bug.

Stu was awarded ‘New Zealand Winemaker of the Show’ at the New Zealand International Wine Show in both 2018 and 2022.

Greg Lane

CHIEF WINEMAKER AT MT DIFFICULTY

A South Australian local, Greg grew up surrounded by wine culture from day dot and earned a Bachelor of Oenology from the University of Adelaide with First Class Honours. From there he honed his craft at Shaw and Smith in Adelaide, France, Italy and the United States before being drawn back to Marlborough to take up the reigns at Grove Mill. Greg has most recently been the winemaker at Central Otago winery, Amisfield, before becoming Chief Winemaker at Mt Difficulty in 2021.

Highly regarded amongst the Winemaking community, Greg was named New Zealand Young Winemaker of the Year in 2018 and is keen to continue establishing Mt Difficulty wines as true benchmarks of Central Otago, and indeed new world Pinot Noir.

When off duty, Greg loves cooking, tramping and fishing around New Zealand.

John Kavanagh

AWATERE VALLEY, MARLBOROUGH

John moved to Martinborough specifically for Pinot Noir, and became the Chief Winemaker at Te Kairanga in 2012. A graduate of Lincoln University with a post graduate diploma in Viticulture and Oenology, John was born and raised in Waiuku, south of Auckland.

Tom Turner

WINEMAKER MARTINBOROUGH VINEYARD

Originally from North Canterbury, Tom’s interest in wine took hold when his family planted a small vineyard. Since 2012 he has worked across renowned wine regions in France, Australia, United States, South America and New Zealand.

A graduate of Lincoln University with distinction in a diploma of Oenology and Viticulture, Tom joined the joined the Vavasour team in 2019 as Assistant Winemaker, and transitioned to Chief Winemaker at Martinborough Vineyard in 2024. 

Rachel Hall

HEAD DISTILLER AT LIGHTHOUSE GIN

From gathering botanicals, twice distilling, tasting every batch for consistency, labelling and bottling, Rachel is our custodian of the Lighthouse tradition – our Lighthouse Keeper if you will.

The first female Head Distiller in New Zealand, Rachel has been crafting Lighthouse by hand since 2014. She first joined the Lighthouse team back in 2010 and learnt her craft from Neil Catherall, our founder and Master distiller. 

Esmé Holdsworth

WINEMAKER AT GROVE MILL

Born and raised in beautiful Nelson, Esmé’s passion for wine originally sparked from her love for artisan food after spending her summers at school and University working in restaurant kitchens. After attending Otago University Esmé went on to earn a post graduate diploma in viticulture and oenology from Lincoln University.

When a chance came to work at the Marlborough winery, Esmé leapt at it. Ask Esmé what she loves most about winemaking and she’ll say the blend of science and art. She loves that it’s such a team environment in every part of the business – from vineyard to logistics – it is essential to making great wine that people love to drink around the world.

Susan Van Der Pol

WINEMAKER AT VAVASOUR

Susan was raised in Blenheim, the centre of Marlborough’s wine industry. In 2002, she was awarded a diploma in Viticulture & Wine Production from Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology.

Susan then spent two vintages overseas before returning to New Zealand and joining the Vavasour team as Assistant Winemaker in 2011.

Elliot Borren

ASSISTANT WINEMAKER AT MT DIFFICULTY

Elliot has a load of experience since graduating from the Lincoln Winemaking course, most recently working as Assistant Winemaker at Matt Connell Wines in Central Otago. Elliot brings lots of technical knowledge, skill, passion and camaraderie to Mt Difficulty.

In his spare time, you probably won’t find Elliot as he will be running an off-road marathon or back country skiing somewhere remote and perilous.

Martin Bell

ASSISTANT WINEMAKER AT TE KAIRANGA

Since graduating with a Master of Science and PGDip Wine Science, Martin has worked at both large and small wineries in New Zealand and brings a wealth of technical knowledge and practical skills to Te Kairanga, as well as his positive and energetic attitude. 

Victoria Knotts

ASSISTANT WINEMAKER AT GROVE MILL

Victoria has always enjoyed aroma chemistry. Originally on the path to becoming a perfumist, a family holiday to New Zealand changed the course, choosing to study winemaking instead. She was intrigued by an industry that was able to combine aroma chemistry, art, and travel; three of her passions.

Victoria started her wine career on beautiful Waiheke Island where she attended The University of Auckland and completed her Master of Science in Wine Science with Honours. She has since been fully involved in many aspects of the wine industry including winemaking, bottling and production, and cellar door management.

Ellie Hobbs

ASSISTANT WINEMAKER AT VAVASOUR

Ellie’s passion for science and travel led her to pursue a Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology (2018), and she gained valuable experience working harvests in Marlborough during her summer breaks.

Since graduating and before joining Vavasour Ellie broadened her expertise by completing vintages in New Zealand, France, Australia, and Austria. 

Mat Duncan

MARLBOROUGH VITICULTURE MANAGER

Raised on an orchard with grapes, avocados and kiwifruit in Northern Hawkes Bay, a fortuitous move in 1994 lead Mat’s family to Marlborough to manage an up and coming Viticultural development.

Mat has been involved in the wine industry ever since, and has been managing our vineyards since he began with the company in 2007. Since 2016 he has also taken on the role of Grower Liaison for Grove Mill and Vavasour. When Mat isn’t diligently working in the vineyards, you can find him out snow or water skiing, playing cricket, or enjoying time with his wife and three children.

Dave Shepherd

HEAD VITICULTURALIST IN MARTINBOROUGH

Great wines start in the vineyard. From The Terrace to Ruatukopuna, Dave is focused on the seasonal variation within each vineyard.

“My perfect wine is one of equal parts complexity and balance, with a lengthy, powerful finish. That’s exactly what I’m looking for in our wines.”