Dawn & Terry aka Nana and Pop. Generation 1 in our Wanaka winegrowing family, they had the vision, the dedication and the confidence to make it all happen. It was the early 90’s, shoulder pads, big hair and the ‘double denim’ look had just gone out. Vineyards were not aplenty in Central Otago, in fact you could count the number of vineyards on both hands and the number of wineries on 1, they were brave. Brave, but not reckless. They knew Wanaka well, they knew vineyards (as Pop grew up on his own in Hawkes Bay) and they knew to get the experts in to find the perfect patch of land to grow their vineyard and build a home. One very stylish home, if you’re given the chance to visit the Mt Maude vineyard, do so. The beautiful Mt Maude mudbrick house and surrounding gardens beneath the 4 Ha vineyard are something else. Speaking for the second and third generation, we are forever grateful that they had the guts to have a mid-life crisis in Wanaka as we’ve all followed them and now call Wanaka our home too.

Sarah-Kate is New Zealand born, bred and educated, though it was Australia or more specifically the Hunter Valley where she cut her winemaking teeth. Developing her skills on the delicate and fickle Semillon and finely structured Shiraz, once aptly named Hunter River Burgundy. She was fortunate enough to be one of the first Len Evans Scholars, going on to become a recognized wineshow judge around the country which helped hone her signature winemaking style – making wines with precision and that are site expressive. After 10 years in Australia's oldest wine region she moved home to one of New Zealand's newest and to the family vineyard, Mt Maude in Wanaka, Central Otago. In 2006, she and husband Dan, built a winery, started a family and so now she balances her love of all things wine, as a busy mum in a busy winery. A self confessed dreamer and schemer, she loves the social side of wine and wine people, devising Maude Wines social events, taking them to another level – some might say one step too far but she is never shy of finding a raft of willing participants. So be warned. She is the Energizer Bunny of New Zealand wine people and she will break you….in the nicest possible way of course.

Dan – the Devil's Advocate. With the ever-present twinkle in his eye, perhaps born from his Australian Irish descent, or landing near the bottom of a large family preceded by his many older sisters. Dan and his twinkle are surprisingly comfortable surrounded by the female numbers at Maude. With the pedigree of winemaking that underpins him, Roseworthy, Petaluma, Mount Pleasant, Brokenwood and Tower Estate, the throne feels natural. As the Devil's Advocate, Dan leads the culture at Maude, a culture where ideas are constantly challenged, set roles never apply, stereotypes don’t exist and the use of contractors, be it electricians to accountants must first be conquered or (in the very least) attempted by oneself, even if at times a contractor has to rectify the situation post Dan. Whilst Dan’s temperament isn’t known to fluctuate much, his happy place is driving in his ute, Beau the family dog by his side, an open beer in hand, marvelling at the beauty of Wanaka, this incredible place we are fortunate to be winegrowers in……..or possibly just making himself MIA from all the oestrogen at the winery.

As the older brother of Sarah-Kate he is probably the only other person in the winery and family apart from Danno who can come close to getting the upper hand in a ‘discussion’ with Sarah-Kate. He used to do it by dangling her over the toilet but now uses more mature methods like silence. Affectionately known as Willy, he has an eye for design and the hands of a craftsman. Where Dan uses tradesmen as a last resort he is happy to call on Willy's expertise. The things you do for your family! Passionate about rugby and bourbon you’ll often find him in his man-cave re-watching an All-Black test for the umpteenth time bourbon in hand, not a glass of wine in sight! Since retiring from his business of 20 years, The Mediterranean Market in Wanaka, he has joined Dawn & Terry out at Mount Maude sharing the load of all things vineyard and garden. Sarah-Kate thinks he’s the favourite child, it’s a highly contested position, but really Dawn and Terry’s favourites are the grandkids.

Sharon our Club Captain, every company should have one, if you don’t, you can’t have ours. Sharon, Shazza, Haggis and affectionately referred to on national TV as 'Sharon from Accounts'. Despite her killer Bridge moves and obvious affinity with numbers, it is her ever-present smile and infectious positivity that we treasure the most. Shazza is the boss of all things wine club – our Maude Society and Maude Cru – a logistical matrix so complex it would send most heads into a spin. And yet, often you’ll see Shazza, wine delivery in hand, at your door with that bubbly smile on her face. Attributes like these earn Shazza the title of Club Captain. Obviously this demeanor is carefully nurtured, we sometimes lose Shazza to her places of Zen be it yoga, the mountains or reading her favourite book – she loves (and needs) her escapism.

Sam Wilson, third generation winemaker is always pushing limits and taking on challenges with the raw grit and determination that has been passed down from his founder grandparents. When he’s not shredding the pavement, he is laser-focused and hardworking, pouring that same fiery energy into the craft of winemaking. Whether it’s nailing a trick or perfecting a Pinot, Sam brings precision, passion and a fearless attitude, effortlessly balancing the rough with the refined. Oh, and he’s got that Wilson charm too…like those that have come before him he could sell gumboots to a Southland sheep farmer. Not to mention those gorgeous baby blues. Gen 3 Maude is looking pretty promising!

Pip – the hunter gatherer. The promise of great Pinot Noir comes from vineyards with greatness. Pinot Noir, known as the fickle mistress, requires someone fanatical to tame and optimise its potential. In Central Otago’s climate, this person must stand firm through frost, snow, howling winds and scorching dry heat. They are the legend of the Maude family. At Maude, Pip is our legend. Normally you find Pip, gazing over her baby, the Mohawk Hill Vineyard, or tramping with hubby and the kids over the Nevis Range - with a recently shot red deer on her back. But on certain weeks of the year, you’ll find her at her favourite spot overlooking the Okuru River on the West Coast in search of the elusive Inanga, New Zealand whitebait.

Em hails from Connecticut (a Connecticuter...I’m not kidding, it’s a word) and has been with Maude for 5 years now. A quick and willing learner, Em’s growth in the company sees her with the marketing title but truth be told, she’s the everything person, the one who can answer any question or track down SK & Dan when she can’t. She is the glue. With her effervescent smile and breezy demeanour she’s dynamite with all things Maude. An educator by trade, she is sharp and instinctive and knows her stuff when it comes to wine. When she’s not posting notes around the place, organising our lives or out on deliveries, you’ll find her traipsing into the mountains with her beau or snuggled up by the fire with a glass of red.

Andrew “Baz” Baker hails from Willamette Valley, Oregon which just so happens to be the 45th parallel on the other side of the world! He brings his warm smile and radical Oregonian style to the team with colourful tattoos, a flipped bill and classic Southland stubbies which help him blend in just perfectly here in Central Otago. He also brings his Staffy Bernie…who just LOVES a good lick and keeps all of our ankles squeaky clean. Baz did 2 vintages with Maude and then worked at the fabulous Mt. Edward for 3 and a half years. He studies wine science online through EIT. Welcome back to the Maude Squad Baz!

The newest Yank to join the family (we’re getting a bit heavy on the Americans here at Maude), Kristi’s degree is in media and communications. She got her 15 minutes as a live TV host and a weather girl a lifetime ago in Lake Tahoe, CA. Since then she’s owned a talent agency, an event company, worked for a startup tech company and become a mum. She’s brought her skills in hosting, event management and content creation to the Maude team and has channeled it into our Marketing department. Kristi fancies herself a bit of a wordsmith and we certainly have plenty of verbiage that needs a spin or two!

Lewis Donaldson hails from the UK and lights up the tasting bench and holds court in local wine sales with his quirky charm and impressive wine knowledge. He’s got a penchant for the d-floor and loves to wax lyrical about anything in a bottle. His unique style and quick wit are matched by a grin that instantly wins you over. Whether he’s breaking down tannins or breaking out dance moves, he’s got a personality that’s impossible to ignore. Seriously, it’s impossible.