Matt has experience in making wine in the following regions:
Marlborough, Piemonte, Veneto, Friuli, Bordeaux and Languedoc-Roussillon
Matt has made wines using the following varieties:
Arneis, Chardonnay, Cortese, Garganega, Gewurztraminer, Grenache Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache Noir, Merlot, Montepulciano, Nebbiolo, Pinot Noir, Syrah
Matt Thomson
BSc, MSc - Winemaker / Director
Matt studied science at the University of Otago in the late 80’s with the intention of becoming a Winemaker and has been working in the Marlborough wine industry since late 1992. Today he is a well respected winemaker and consultant with notable successes both locally and internationally over a variety of wine styles with particular strengths in Marlborough’s iconic Sauvignon Blanc. He has worked as a ‘flying winemaker’ consultant, on the behalf of UK distributors, in Italy and France since 1994, travelling to Europe three or more times a year for the vintage, blending and bottling.
Matt is currently responsible for the production of more than 1,200,000 cases of high priced New Zealand, Italian and French wine which as well as providing diverse experience, allows an international perspective on the NZ industry. Over the past 8 years Matt has been involved with 5 separate winery design and build projects and also spends considerable time in the international market place speaking and promoting the interests of both clients and the greater New Zealand wine industry as a whole.
Matt and his family have vineyard interests here in Marlborough and in Italy completing the full picture of the wine industry from the farm gate to the shop floor.
Fiona has experience in making wine in the following regions:
Marlborough, Hawkes Bay, Waipara, Central Otago and California
Fiona has made wines using the following varieties:
Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah
Fiona Turner
BSc, MSc (Hons) - Winemaker
Fiona first joined the wine industry in Marlborough in 1995, and has since gained experience and developed her winemaking expertise in Marlborough, Hawkes Bay, Waipara, Central Otago and the United States, to become a highly respected senior winemaker within the New Zealand industry. She has gained a broad range of industry experience acquired throughout the years running a wine laboratory, a bottling company, and enjoying a 6 month sales stint with Oddbins, UK in the late 1990’s.
Fiona has been involved with the high level design and building of several winery projects in Marlborough and also sits on the board as the managing director for one of those.
Fiona and her husband run a 50 acre vineyard in Marlborough, so that today she is involved with all aspects of the industry.
Fiona’s vast experience and prominent success as a winemaker, with her extensive knowledge of bottling, winery design and the trade in general make her invaluable.
Glenn has experience in making wine in the following regions:
South Australia, Gisborne, Marlborough
Glenn has made wines using the following varieties:
Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc,
Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Tempranillo
Glenn Thomas
BApp.Sc - Winemaker
Glenn has been making wine in the Marlborough region since 1986 and during that time has become an icon of the industry. Before then he was winemaking in South Australia after graduating from Roseworthy College with a degree in winemaking science.
Glenn worked for Corbans, one of the largest wineries in New Zealand at the time, and became chief winemaker responsible for wineries in Gisborne and Marlborough, as well as drawing fruit from early vineyards in Canterbury. He then moved on to become the first winemaker in the Awatere Valley of Marlborough when he jointly established Vavasour Wines. This valley now has 5000ha of vineyard, which is a testament to the quality of those pioneering wines made by Glenn.
Glenn has considerable respect from his peers in the industry due to his creative talent and sound understanding of the science, as well as his uncompromising ethics.
Alana has experience in making wine in the following regions:
Marlborough, Hunter Valley, Sicily, Veneto, Friuli, Abruzzo and Languedoc-Roussillon
Alana has made wines using the following varieties:
Chardonnay, Cortese, Cataratto, Gewurztraminer, Grenache Blanc, Grillo, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Viognier,
Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache Noir, Merlot, Montepulciano, Nero D’Avola, Pinot Noir, Syrah
Alana McGettigan
BSc - Winemaker
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 complete a Graduate Diploma in Viticulture and Oenology from Lincoln University in 2001.
Alana joined Kiwi Oeno in 2005 as a winemaker and fits in two vintages every year, returning to Italy in September each year to work the harvest in Northern Italy and Southern France.
Her University qualifications and broadly based industry experience, allow Alana to make a significant contribution to any wine production business. She has the ability to advise on quality based production from the vineyard through to preparing wine for bottling. She has a strong understanding of what is required to produce high quality wine in a competitive market.
Alana’s technical skills are complimented by her ability to work well with people and get the best possible results for the client.
Nikki Page
Nikki joined the Kiwi-Oeno Ltd team in March 2009 as Matt Thomson’s PA and assists Matt’s fellow winemakers Fiona, Glenn and Alana as well. Her main priority is to take as much administrative work as possible from Matt to free him up to attend to more important tasks, such as his winemaking and consultancy projects.
Marlborough born and bred, Nikki has a strong background as a PA / Executive Assistant and has held busy roles supporting General Managers and CEO’s for large companies in Christchurch, Nelson and Blenheim. Nikki also has marketing experience, and has worked for the sales and marketing team of Westland Milk Products based in Christchurch and the marketing team for the Christchurch Casino.
Nikki has grown to love Marlborough produced wines and is particularly fascinated with vineyard management and learning about how to nurture the vines to produce the best possible quality fruit. Nikki plans to study Italian in the latter part of 2009 not only to appreciate the language and the culture, but to gain an understanding of the winemaking that Matt, Alana and Glenn undertake there each year. She would like to undertake further study in 2010 that will help her to develop her skills and understanding of winemaking, wine marketing and management to better assist the Kiwi-Oeno team.