Nick Buck

CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Nick is the second-eldest son of John and Wendy Buck. He had an eye for business from an early age – his first venture selling shelled walnuts as a child in Te Mata’s Cellar Door. He went on to complete a Business degree at Massey University and then work around the globe in wine retail, importation, and distribution. During this period, he never declined an opportunity to taste his way through the wines of Europe. He returned to his wine production roots in 2000, initially responsible for all aspects of Te Mata’s sales and marketing and in 2013 was appointed Chief Executive. Nick lives in Havelock North at Te Mata’s Khandalah vineyard with his wife Lisa and their five children.

Alastair Morris

CHAIRMAN

Alastair is a born and bred Wellingtonian. He lives there with his wife, Emma, and has two adult children, Isabella and Ned.

He has been involved in the hospitality industry, either as a chef or wine merchant, for many years and currently works for the New Zealand Restaurant Association.  For many years Alastair has also been a guide at Zealandia Eco Sanctuary, with a strong connection to the place and New Zealand’s conservation history. He loves fishing too and cooking. As well as good Bordeaux and taking the dog out for a walk.

Fiona Morris

DIRECTOR

Fiona Morris is a communications specialist based in Wellington. As the daughter of Te Mata Estate co-founders Michael and June Morris, she served a long apprenticeship in the form of childhood holidays spent planting, watering, and tying young vines, and driving Henry the tractor on Te Mata’s slopes. In her professional life, she has held roles in environment, health policy, the tourism industry, and as a journalist at RNZ.

She also spent two years working in the Pacific with her husband and photographer Murray Lloyd. Fiona is pleased to be able to contribute to maintaining continuity in the family business where tender young vines have come to fruition at Te Mata Estate.

Jonathan Buck

DIRECTOR

Jonathan is the eldest son of the second generation of the Buck family. He’s the Estate Manager and CEO of Te Mata’s largest grape-growing site, Woodthorpe Terraces, in Hawke’s Bay’s Dartmoor Valley.

Jonathan has travelled and worked across Europe, the Middle East, and Australia, including consecutive vintages at Krondorf in the Barossa Valley. A graduate of Smedley College too, he’s keenly interested in farming and enduro motorbike riding. With his wife Megan he raised Zara, Henry, and Tamzin at Woodthorpe. All the kids have worked at Te Mata, at the cellar door, or out in the vineyards.

Phil Brodie

SENIOR WINEMAKER

Having grown up ‘on the land’ in northern Hawke’s Bay, Phil has a natural love and appreciation of the local terroir, the climate, rivers, soil, and sea, and its immense contribution to wine. He combines this understanding with a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Wine Science.

Phil is also a Senior Wine Judge and an extreme wine junky. He’s married to Leanne and has two children, Benjamin and Hannah. He joined the Te Mata Estate team in 1992 and has had vintage experiences at Clos des Lombrays, Burgundy, and at Chateau Margaux, Bordeaux.

Vince Labat

COMMERCIAL SALES MANAGER

Vincent Labat is responsible for Te Mata Estate’s global sales and marketing. Originally from South Africa, he’s spent the last twenty years in the wine industry in Australia, the UK, and here in New Zealand.

Vince is a family man and loves the Hawke’s Bay lifestyle. He’s also a crucial member of the Te Mata Estate team. Vince has always been a fan of Te Mata Awatea – it’s one of his favourite reds.

Brenton O’Riley

VITICULTURIST

Brought up on a Manawatu farm, Brenton has always had a passion for agriculture and horticulture. This led to studying toward a Bachelor of Oenology and a Bachelor of Viticulture at EIT, Hawkes Bay.

At EIT, Brenton was awarded the Mission Estate scholarship and the Romeo Bragato scholarship, which provided the opportunity to travel through Italy’s most famous wine regions.

In the following years, Brenton later went on to win the Marlborough Young Viticulturist competition in both 2014 and 2016. Brenton’s career started off in Marlborough as a Technical Viticulturist followed by a Grower Viticulturist for a large-scale national winery. He relocated with his family back to Hawke’s Bay at the end of 2019.

Toby Buck

EU, UK & DUBAI MARKET MANAGER

Toby grew up at Coleraine, planting vines and working in Te Mata’s cellars. When still young he travelled with his parents to meet agents, coopers, and winemakers in Europe. He’s worked many vintages at Te Mata, and from Bordeaux to Chile, to Greece, Portugal, and Argentina. He completed an MSc at Edinburgh and is a fan of a good book and a good wine. In 2014 he won the Mansfield short story award and in 2019 NZ’s top essay prize.

Since 2016 he’s been responsible for sales in Te Mata’s biggest markets and running our Showcase tastings. Now based in Amsterdam, Toby’s currently developing our sales in Europe, the UK, and Dubai.

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