The New Zealand wine industry is creative, innovative, and brimming with interesting personalities from around the world. Many of the colourful characters in the industry are as passionate about rugby as they are about wine! Here are a few stories that link the national sport with one of the nation's favourite drinks?

Clive Paton is the founder of Ata Rangi Vineyard. He bought and planted the original home-block in 1980, and in doing so became one of a handful of people who pioneered grape growing in the area. Clive had formerly been farming in the South Wairarapa but his love affair with red wine and belief in the potential of the area for grape-growing led him to the Martinborough terrace and into Pinot Noir. Clive is right into fitness and sport, with mountain biking his current focus...

Australians drink more wine per capita than the kiwis and the Brits! The landscape for New Zealand wine in Australia has changed dramatically over the last 3 years, with New Zealand wine imports growing more than 100% by volume and 80% by value. Over the same period the total New Zealand wine market share has lifted from under 9% to over 12% of the total retail bottled wine market. More New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, led by the wines from the Marlborough region, is imported into Australia than any other wine style.

The New Zealand wine industry is creative, innovative, and brimming with interesting personalities from around the world. Many of the colourful characters in the industry have links to Australia. Here are a few facts that tie the two nations together through wine?

Tupari Wines, Marlborough:
An Aussie worth a try?

Glenn Thomas, the winemaker and inspiration behind Tupari Wines, is the pioneer who helped...

The New Zealand wine industry is creative, innovative, and brimming with interesting personalities from around the world. Many of the colourful characters in the industry are as passionate about rugby as they are about wine! Here's our next story that links the national sport with one of the nation's favourite drinks?

Neuzeal Wines Ltd, Central Otago:

1987 The year of the inaugural Rugby World Cup. On June 20 fifteen young men united together by their own comradeship and ambition proved that they were the best in the world. The only member of that team who will not witness the 2011 RWC is John Drake who tragically passed away in December 2008.

John Drake or ?Drakey? as he was affectionately known to his friends created his own legend with an exceptional rugby career and a distinguished service in...

Exports of New Zealand Wine to Asia have increased almost 240% from 1.5 million litres in 2006 to 5.3 million litres in June 2011. This volume is at an average price per litre of over $11.60 and reflects a total export value of almost NZD$61.5 million. June 2011 year end statistics show exports of New Zealand Wine to Japan have increased 34%, with Cabernet Sauvignon and red blends exports up a massive 81%.

The New Zealand wine industry is creative, innovative, and brimming with interesting personalities from around the world. Many of the colourful characters in the industry have links to Japan. Here are a few facts that tie the two nations together through wine?

Kimura Cellars, Marlborough:
Kimura Cellars is owned by Japanese winemaker Shigehisa Kimura who has been living in New Zealand with his wife, Mieko and his son, Ryo since 2004. Shigehisa Kimura started his wine career as...

The New Zealand wine industry is creative, innovative, and brimming with interesting personalities from around the world. Many of the colourful characters in the industry are as passionate about rugby as they are about wine! Here's another story that links the national sport with one of the nation's favourite drinks?

Owner Bill Spence played rugby until he took up University Studies. Because of the friends he has made over the years in rugby circles which include All Black?s and Management, he was passionate about sponsoring the NZ rugby foundation and the good work they do, providing wine for their functions for over 15 years.

Moncellier was conceived on the back of a couple of beers after a hard day?s work. For Bill it seemed like a pretty good way to start a wine company, a wine company...

The New Zealand wine industry is creative, innovative, and brimming with interesting personalities from around the world. Many of the colourful characters in the industry are as passionate about rugby as they are about wine! Here are a few stories that link the national sport with one of the nation's favourite drinks?

Junction Wines, Hawke's Bay:

The Junction Vineyard, owned by former All Black front row forward John Ashworth and family, is located at the junction of State Highway 2 with State Highway 50 on the windswept stony gravels of the Takapau Plains in Central Hawke's Bay, New Zealand.

This small, boutique vineyard enjoys the long, cool Central Hawkes Bay growing seasons, allowing son and winemaker Leith to produce award-winning, intense, aromatic wines naturally. These all have a unique and distinctive character we feel confident you will...

Doug started with Craggy Range in the middle of 2000, fresh from a vintage at Dry River and a startling career as a young man in California alongside Ted Lemon, his great mentor. He came to Craggy to make great Pinot Noir, and he was the perfect winemaking partner. Not only did he bring a love of Pinot Noir to Craggy, he bought an in depth knowledge of oenology and practical winemaking skills. Doug the oenologist, winery guy who loved Pinot Noir and Syrah, Steve Smith, Managing Director, Craggy Range Vineyards with a dangerous knowledge of winemaking and a great love of all Bordeaux varieties. Both shared a great love of the wines of France, single vineyard expression in wine, natural where possible and wine where texture is the most important element. Doug was also a great young man, personable and caring about his colleagues, staff and friends. He had a great spark.

During his time with Craggy Range, Doug made some of the greatest wines New Zealand has seen. He single-handedly created a Syrah style...

When making a life membership award the person needs to have demonstrated significant, sustained and high quality service enhancing the reputation and future of the organisation or field of endeavor.

The recipients of the first life memberships awarded by the Nelson Winegrowers Association certainly meet these criteria, not only within the local industry but on a national and international basis.

Over many years, Hermann Seifried, Agnes Seifried, Tim Finn and Judy Finn have all demonstrated a high level of commitment to contributing to the development of a strong, vibrant wine community in Nelson and indeed New Zealand.

From the time Hermann and Agnes planted their first vines at Upper Moutere in 1973 they were committed to not only creating a great business but to helping others be successful in the industry.

Tim and Judy joined the almost non-existent fine wine industry in 1978 and like the Seifrieds were committed to excellence from day one.

For new entrants to an industry one of the very best ways to learn...

Far from being just a big brand, Babich is the country?s second oldest family run winery. Brothers Peter and Joe Babich have run this winery for the last 50 years. Their Croatian-born father, Josip, established the business on a bare field in Waiharara in the Far North in 1916 before moving to the present site in West Auckland, in 1919.

In the 1990s, they were joined by Peter?s son David. Today, their sister Maureen ? though recently retired ? still covers as a part time worker in administration and,
?Running family companies can be quite tricky. You?ve got to get the formula right, otherwise you?ll be scrapping in no time. Joe and I sorted out demarcation lines over 40 years ago and have never had a problem,? Peter says.

From the start of their working relationship, Peter?s job was to look after the administration and the vineyards; Joe?s was to look after the winemaking.
?My main job was to make our business make money and to expand the winery and its sales,? says Peter, who confesses there...