Making wine with as much thought for our environment as wine excellence
The Makers
Our team is dedicated to making great wine people love to drink.
Esmé Holdsworth
Winemaker
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 Grove Mill, 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.
Stu Marfell
Group Chief Winemaker
A graduate of Lincoln University, Canterbury with a Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology, Stu became our Chief Winemaker in 2007.
He was awarded New Zealand Winemaker of the Show at the New Zealand International Wine Show in both 2018 and 2022.
Stu can often be found making coffee for the team and keeping them fuelled up – especially important for our native planting days in our wetland!
Mat Duncan
Viticulturalist
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.