Bruce Stapleton
Partner/Viticulturalist
"By Morgan to Marlborough!" is how Kotare Wines viticulturist Bruce Stapleton describes his arrival in New Zealand.

In 1993 the sports car enthusiast had driven his 1969 Plus Eight Morgan 12,000 miles in the London Sydney Marathon, then visited neighbouring New Zealand and learned how the wines of Marlborough were winning international acclaim.

His interest in viticulture had been sparked 20 years earlier when he planted Muller Thurgau grapes on a 10-acre block in Oxfordshire, England. It was a small affair but the experience proved invaluable:

"If you can grow vines and make reasonable wine in England, I thought New Zealand looked like paradise!"

After a few years of research which was required to ascertain which of the differing areas within the Marlborough region would provide the best growing conditions for the production of the best grapes and therefore the best wines, finally in 1998 this led to the development of Riversleigh Estate Wines. That is where Bruce now lives, except for four months every year when he returns to the northern hemisphere to promote Kotare Wines in its International markets.

The long, warm autumn days enjoyed there, along with cool nights and varying soil types, create the right conditions to grow grapes of the highest quality.

Sustainable New Zealand winegrowing principles are followed and Kotare Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Gris Wines, all produced exclusively for the International market are certified annually by the NZ Institute of Wine.