Nick Buck
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Nick is the second-eldest son of John and Wendy Buck and had an eye for business from an early age. 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.
Gareth Kilsby
CHAIRMAN
Raised on a sheep and beef farm and educated at Massey University, Gareth brings extensive commercial experience across New Zealand, South Africa, the UK and Australia. His career has spanned property, telecommunications, energy and banking. In 2006, he moved to Hawke’s Bay to join The Property Group, where he spent 16 years. Gareth has also held governance roles across education, sport, property development, healthcare, horticulture and wine and joined Te Mata Estate as an Independent Director in October 2022. He is proud to now step into the role of Chair, working alongside the team to build on Te Mata Estate’s strengths and support the continued success of the business. Married with four adult children, Gareth is a keen golfer and sports enthusiast, as well as an enthusiastic consumer of Te Mata wines.
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 Château Margaux, Bordeaux.
Mel Douglas
FINANCE DIRECTOR
Having grown up close to Te Mata Estate, Mel has known the winery and its place in the local community since childhood. A Chartered Accountant, Mel has worked in New Zealand, Canada and London, gaining broad commercial experience across the hospitality, television and investment sectors before joining Te Mata Estate in 2013. Mel lives locally with her husband, Rob, and their three daughters. Outside work, she enjoys tennis, dancing and spending time at the beach.
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.
Vince Labat
SALES & MARKETING DIRECTOR
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.
Kerry Mousley
ADMINISTRATION MANAGER
With a background in farming and tourism, Kerry and her family were drawn to New Zealand by its natural beauty and the opportunities it offered. Before emigrating, she successfully ran her own business, developing the organisational and commercial skills that have underpinned her career. Since joining Te Mata Estate in 2023, Kerry has become an important part of the team, supporting the winery across administration, governance, HR, logistics and compliance. Combining a passion for wine with a highly organised approach, she helps ensure the smooth day-to-day operation of the business.
Toby Buck
EMEA MARKET MANAGER | DIRECTOR
Toby, the youngest Buck son, grew up in Hawke’s Bay on the Coleraine Vineyard and started working his first winery vintages as a child. As a teen he travelled with his parents to meet agents, coopers, and winemakers across Europe before going on to study in NZ, the USA, and Scotland.
After working at leading red wine producers from Bordeaux to Chile, California to Italy, Greece, Portugal, and Argentina, since 2014 he has managed sales in our largest markets – also representing the winery in Australia, the USA, Singapore, Brazil, and the UK.
He also works in contemporary art and publishing, and has won Mansfield, Sargeson, and Jancis Robinson Wine awards for his writing. He is based in Amsterdam with his fiance, and small rescue dog Zoe.
