Winemakers

Matt has been working with Murray and Daphne since 1996. This provides a brilliant relationship between them all and Matt has earned an enormous amount of respect and friendship with Murray and Daphne and the International wine industry. In 2003 Matt was selected to speak to the International Masters of Wine members and students – a huge honour which he relished and was again asked to speak in 2004.

Matt has a vast winemaking experience including vintages in Bordeaux, Fruile / Veneto, Piedmont as well as Marlborough. Matt has also been working as a winemaking consultant on behalf of UK distributors in Italy since 1994, travelling to Italy three times a year. As well as providing diverse experience, this allows a different perspective on the New Zealand Industry. Matt is also well known for his talents in Kayaking and multi sport events and for his family – wife Sheena Grey and daughter Gianna.

Alana McGettigan has worked in the wine industry since 2002 with winemaking experience in Australia, New Zealand and Italy. Alana graduated from Otago University with a BSc in biochemistry and genetics in 2000 and went on to study a Graduate Diploma in Viticulture and Oenology at Lincoln University in 2001.

Alana has been working with Cape Campbell Wines since 2002, when she began her career in the wine industry working as a laboratory technician for a winery co-owned by Cape Campbell.  She has continued her work with Cape Campbell through the ranks at the winery, and in 2005 she joined Matt Thomson’s team as winemaker.

For the last six years, Alana has been alternating between Italy and New Zealand, working 3 months a year in Italy for the harvest, and working with several wine varieties in different regions of the country.  Seeing different varieties from different areas and climates is part of the buzz of winemaking for Alana, and she says she loves the challenge of translating the potential of the fruit on the vines into wine.  She sees particular potential with the fruit that is coming from the Blind River subregion where Cape Campbell is based, and is excited by the very distinct crushed herb and mineral notes that the resultant wines are showing.

Travelling to make wine all over the world has been a great experience for Alana, but her travels have also helped her realise where she wants to be.
I have seen quite a few wine-making regions around the world and Marlborough is the most progressive and positive.
"It feels like a really good place to be."

Fiona has been working as Matt’s assistant since January 2002 but first worked with Matt in 1995 in Marlborough.

After finishing her studies Fiona spent three vintages in Marlborough before heading for California and then to London to gain some experience in the trade with Oddbins Fine Wines.

Fiona then heading back to New Zealand for more experience with winemaking and with a contract bottling company in Hawkes Bay. California called again for a vintage but New Zealand remained home. Fiona’s vast experience as a winemaker and with her extensive knowledge of bottling and the trade is a huge asset to Cape Campbell wines.

Fiona remains in the Marlborough region because of the…“professionalism of the people in the industry, fantastic climate and world class vineyards, facilities and wines. Through my job which is my passion I have a huge exposure to international visitors, winemakers and wines – what more could you want!”

Cape Campbell Wines is proud to be a part shareholder in South Pacific Cellars. This is a very new winery with state of the art equipment and systems. The winery is run by Graeme Paul who has done over 25 vintages in New Zealand and around the world. He is assisted by Susanne Stander, a South African winemaker living in New Zealand also with worldwide vintage experience. Their joint talents are complemented by an excellent vintage crew – many of which keep coming back year after year!”