A look back on Harvest 2025

director of winegrowing, patrick materman TAKES A LOOK BACK AT harvest AND HIS STANDOUTS FOR VINTAGE 2025.

The 2025 New Zealand vintage has delivered excellent wines across all our growing regions. While the season presented some weather-related challenges, careful vineyard management and attention to detail have resulted in outstanding quality and varietal expression.

A cool, wet January was followed by warm, settled conditions from February through to harvest. This resulted in clean, ripe fruit with great natural acidity and classic varietal character. Every region in New Zealand has produced standout wines, and we’re excited about what’s to come.

Credit: Kelly Hoebergen

Marlborough

An exceptionally warm spring and near-perfect flowering conditions led to yields well above the long-term average. To align supply with global demand, we selectively thinned crops and left some fruit unharvested. Despite a cooler January, the return of dry, warm weather through harvest ensured clean fruit and excellent flavour development. Higher yields extended ripening timelines, allowing us to capture ripe flavours at lower natural sugar levels. Cool autumn nights preserved the natural acidity, crucial for classic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. 

Season Standouts

While not as straightforward as the exceptional 2024 vintage, 2025 has delivered wines of real character. Sauvignon Blanc is vibrant and expressive, with hallmark purity and punch. Pinot Noir shows great colour and varietal definition. Subregional diversity is notable again this year, with fruit from Awatere Valley particularly impressive. 

Gisborne

A warm dry spring led to strong flowering and fruit set, although December and January brought cooler, wetter conditions. 

Despite the weather, ripening progressed well, with harvest beginning mid-February. After two lighter vintages, yields returned to normal, and fruit quality was strong across the board. 

Season Standouts

Chardonnay was the definite highlight, with excellent fruit for Sparkling base and table wines. Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris required careful management due to disease pressure, but careful picking and attention to detail in the winery delivered great results. Overall, a very successful season for Gisborne. 

Hawke’s Bay

Warm spring conditions and a favourable flowering period set the stage for a balanced crop. While January was cooler, it remained dry, and February brought a return to warm, stable conditions – ideal for ripening.  

Harvest kicked off early, with nearly all Chardonnay picked by the first week of March. The wines are already showing excellent ripeness, flavour and acid balance – a worthy follow-up to the superb 2024 vintage.  

Season Standouts 

The Springhill Vineyard in the cooler Central Hawke’s Bay region delivered beautifully expressive Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris.  

Red varietals – particularly Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon - were picked later and are showing deep colour, ripe tannins and great depth. It has shaped up to be another high-quality vintage for Hawke’s Bay.  

Above: A selection of the fantastic entries into this year’s photo competition!

Villa Maria Launches Sauvignon Blanc in a Can in the UK

Villa Maria, the UK’s No.1 New Zealand wine brand, is making premium wine more accessible with the launch of its award-winning Marlborough Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc in a sleek 200ml can. This marks the first time the brand has offered its iconic Sauvignon Blanc in this format – one of the biggest innovations from Villa Maria in recent years. 

The launch of the stylish can follows extensive trial and testing to deliver the same exceptional quality Villa Maria is known for in a convenient, portable format. The expansion of its flagship wine into cans further cements Villa Maria’s rich history in its largest market, where it remains the leading New Zealand wine brand by both value and volume. * 

“At Villa Maria, we’re always looking for new ways to bring our world-class wines to consumers,” says Sarah Szegota, Global Director of Marketing and Communications.  “The demand for quality, portable options is growing, driven by changing drinking habits and a desire for flexibility. By introducing Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc in a can that is lightweight and easy to chill, we’re giving wine lovers a convenient way to enjoy refreshing New Zealand wine anytime, anywhere.” 

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Villa Maria’s consumer research confirms a strong appetite for premium wine in versatile formats, particularly for summer’s outdoor occasions such as barbecues and picnics. Market data also highlights that canned wine is one of the fastest-growing segments in grocery and the off-trade**. This reflects shifting consumer preferences toward quality, convenience, and sustainability. 

“The strength of our brand gives us an incredible opportunity to lead in this space,” adds Szegota. “UK consumers have embraced New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, which continues to outperform the overall wine category***. By offering our signature Sauvignon Blanc in a versatile new format, we’re making it even easier to enjoy the crisp, vibrant flavours Villa Maria is famous for.” 

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“Our goal has always been to craft wines that capture the purity, freshness and vibrancy of New Zealand’s unique landscape,” says Villa Maria Group Winemaker David Roper. “We’ve worked hard to ensure that the same crisp, aromatic intensity that people love in our Sauvignon Blanc is perfectly preserved in this format. Whether it’s poured into a glass or enjoyed straight from the can, wine lovers can expect the same high-quality Villa Maria experience.”  

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Villa Maria is committed to sustainability, and this innovation reinforces the brand’s commitment to its strategy. Villa Maria cans are bottled in market, significantly reducing carbon emissions. Additionally, aluminium cans are infinitely recyclable. 

Szegota says, “Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc in a can is the first of several planned innovations as Villa Maria continues to meet the needs of the modern consumer.  

Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc in a can is now available in major retailers throughout the UK. 

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Nielsen MAT 28.12.24 

**IWSR Wine Landscapes 2024 UK 

*** Nielsen IQ Scan data – Off Trade, 52 weeks to 27/01/25

Indevin Appoints David Roper as Group Winemaker

ndevin Group is pleased to announce the appointment of David Roper as Group Winemaker. With more than two decades of experience – most of it with the iconic Villa Maria brand – Roper steps into this role to lead Indevin’s winemaking team, driving innovation while upholding the company’s reputation for crafting exceptional New Zealand wines for all its brands. 

Roper’s journey into winemaking was anything but conventional. Originally trained in medical microbiology, he made the switch to the wine industry in 2002, starting as a Cellar Hand at Villa Maria. Over the years, he has worked alongside some of New Zealand’s most respected winemakers, refining his experience across multiple varietals, wine styles, and brands. 

“I’m incredibly thrilled to take on the role of Group Winemaker at Indevin,” says Roper. “We have an outstanding team of talented winemakers, all driven by a shared passion for creating wines with character and a true sense of place. With vineyards spanning across Marlborough, Hawkes Bay and Gisborne, we have an amazing opportunity to showcase the best of Aotearoa.” 

Indevin Group is New Zealand’s largest wine company, with a portfolio that includes award-winning brands such as Villa Maria, Esk Valley, Vidal and Leftfield. Roper’s expertise and leadership will play a pivotal role in shaping the winemaking vision across the group. 

Indevin Director of Winegrowing, Patrick Materman says, “David has been an integral part of our winemaking team for over 20 years, and we are delighted to see him step into this well-earned leadership position. His deep understanding of New Zealand’s wine industry, combined with his commitment to producing wines that resonate with consumers, will be instrumental as we continue to grow our brands in key global markets.” 

Roper’s appointment marks an exciting chapter for Indevin as the company continues to reinforce its position as a leader in the New Zealand wine industry. 

International Pinot Noir Day 2024

18 August marks International Pinot Noir Day. It may feel like the new kid on the block but after rapidly growing in popularity over the past twenty years, this diverse, versatile grape is now Aotearoa's top red wine varietal and the second most exported after Sauvignon Blanc.  

We sat down with Indevin Senior Winemaker, Dave Roper who talked us through why he loves Pinot Noir and his go-to pairings.  

Q. What makes Marlborough’s Pinot Noir wines unique? 

New Zealand’s most famous wine region produces bright, clear Pinot Noir with surprisingly powerful flavours and balanced acidity, refined and elegant examples. 

Q. How are the 2024 Pinot Noir wines shaping up?  

In a word, spectacular. After a brilliant growing and harvest season in Marlborough, the wines in barrel are looking very promising. Yet to reveal themselves in full but in their infancy, it's hard not to be excited about the 2024’s. 

Q. What are some of the trends coming through in Pinot Noir? Is there anything you’re particularly excited about? 

Stems – the inclusion of a percentage of whole clusters and stems helps build tannin structure and boosts aromatic complexity. You need to get it right though, unripe stems can give a herbaceous edge which should be avoided.  

Q. What bottle will you personally be opening to celebrate International Pinot Noir Day, who will you share it with, and where will you be? 

Our 2017 Library Release Organic Marlborough Pinot Noir is in a great place at the moment. Beautifully complex on the nose, showing red and blackberry primary elements with beguiling mushroom, earth and game notes as the wine opens up. The aromas are so enticing the taste seems almost a bonus! The palate is rich, silky with fine tannins, poised acidity and a lengthy finish. 

Q. What food will you pair this wine with, and why? 

A classic pairing – mushroom risotto. Get a few different varieties shitake, portobello, chanterelles, oyster, porcini. Variety boosts the aromatics, flavours and intensity. Bang some truffle in there too and don’t hold back with the parmesan. Yom…earthy flavours, unite! 

Q. Any tips on storing or serving Pinot Noir that will help people get the most out of their bottle of Villa Maria? 

Look after your Pinots! They are fragile wines that our team has painstakingly made. Store them in your wine fridge or cool cellar (13-16 degrees Celsius is ideal.) All our Pinot Noirs are sealed under screw cap so you can store them standing up or lying down. Pair it thoughtfully with something delicious and enjoy.  

Indevin Earth Week 2024: Plastic Marathon

Over the past 5 weeks, our teams across the motu took part in a Plastic Marathon, a competition to see which site could collect the most plastics for Future Post – a fantastic organisation that turns recycled plastic into posts that will be used on vineyards and farms throughout New Zealand.

We’re delighted announce that the whole of Indevin Group recycled a whopping 13.4 tonnes of plastic! This is the equivalent of diverting 286,000 milk bottles and 1,920,000 plastic bags from landfill!

Special mention goes to our Hawke's Bay Vineyard Teams who loaded up two trucks full of old drip line, spray drums and more, to recycle an enormous 11.8 tonnes of plastic.

The overall winners were our Fairhall Winery Team in Marlborough. Our sites were not only tasked with collecting as much plastic for recycling as they could, but also to bring their ideas together to identify ways to permanently remove forms of plastic from their waste streams. The Fairhall Team identified an opportunity to swap out latex gloves they use in the cellar, for a more eco-friendly, biodegradable option. This initiative is currently being trialled on site and if successful, we will look to roll it out to the other sites.

The initiative was run by our Sustainability Manager, Angus Mcfarlane, as part of our inaugural Indevin Earth Week. The week was a chance for our people to get involved in the mahi we are doing in the Sustainability space and included webinars with Diana Hawkins and Emily Dekker from Toitū Envirocare, Tanya Pouwhare from NZ Ethical Employers (NZEE) and members of the Indevin team.

We’re really proud of our whole team for getting involved, showcasing that each time we choose to recycle instead of disposing items, we can truly achieve tremendous results - see below!

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International Sauvignon Blanc Day 2024

MAY 3RD MARKS INTERNATIONAL SAUVIGNON BLANC DAY. THIS VINTAGE, 83% OF THE GRAPES WE HARVESTED WERE SAUVIGNON BLANC AND WE ARE CONSISTENTLY AMAZED BY THIS VERSATILE GRAPE THAT PUT AOTEAROA ON THE GLOBAL STAGE.

We sat down with Indevin Senior Winemaker, David Roper who talks us through which Sauvignon Blancs he’s looking forward to cracking open, fine-tuning the perfect pairing and how best to store and serve Sauvignon Blanc to really impress your whānau.  

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Q. The 2024 vintage is just complete – how are this year’s Sauvignon Blancs looking?  

In a word, fantastic! Being such a transparent wine variety and style, it is easy to understand and capture the quality of the new seasons Sauvignon Blanc wines already. Slightly lower grape yields and a stunning warm and dry summer has set us up well. The fruit quality was superb all-round and now in tank we have wines with bright, intense aromatics and signature juicy, succulent acidity. Outstanding components which we’ll see come together in bottle later this year. 

Q. What are some of the trends coming through in Sauvignon Blanc? Is there anything you’re particularly excited about? 

It’s exciting to see more Sauvignon Blancs being released exclusively from specific sub regions. These wines highlight the different styles of Sauvignon Blanc and showcase the diversity of Marlborough's microclimates and soils. Within the warmer Wairau Valley we see punchy passionfruit, thiol driven wines from the heavier soils in Coastal Wairau. Further inland in Central Wairau, Waihopai and Southern Valley examples deliver ripe citrus, tropical and floral notes. 

Heading over the hills to the cooler, windier and rugged Awatere Valley we see bright limey, bell pepper and herbaceous wines with marine like salinity from areas such as Lower Dashwood, Blind River and further inland to the Upper Awatere, Altimarloch area. 

Q. What bottle will you personally be opening to celebrate International Sauvignon Blanc day, who will you share it with, and where will you be? 

I’m lining up our 2021 Woven Sauvignon Blanc, a thought-provoking example with weight, power and complexity that offers a different perspective on the variety. On May 3rd, I’ll be returning to Auckland from Marlborough fresh from a week of assessing our new vintage Sauvignon Blanc wines. One more Sauvignon Blanc shared with some close friends over a meal.   

Q. What food will you pair this wine with, and why? 

I’ll be angling for a tiger prawn linguine with mussels, cockles, chilli and garlic. The body, intensity, and complexity of Woven should pair well with the fresh flavours of the dish. 

Q. Is there an unusual food combo that you’ve discovered pairs beautifully with Sauvignon Blanc? 

I need to try it with a hearty Bacon and Egg pie. Who doesn’t love pie??! Flavours contrast as individuals but together the acidity cuts through the richness of pastry, egg and bacon and comes together as a great match. 

Q. Any tips on storing or serving Sauvignon Blanc that will help people get the most out of their bottle of Villa Maria? 

Serve it chilled but not straight out of a fridge or ice bucket. Around 90min in the fridge or 40min in an ice bucket is perfect. Too cold and the aromas may appear muted and the acidity sharp. Screwcaps mean you can store bottles standing up or lying down, whatever your preference is. 

A look back on Harvest 2024

director of winegrowing, patrick materman summarises a harvest of smaller yields but outstanding quality

Overview

2024 has been an exceptional vintage across New Zealand’s winegrowing regions. Despite lower yields due to variable weather during the flowering periods, the mid - December shift to an El Niño weather pattern brought dry, settled conditions through harvest. With minimal disease pressure, clean, ripe fruit was harvested, with intense flavours whilst preserving great natural acidity. Even at this early stage, the resulting wines appear to be of fantastic quality.

Marlborough

Early December saw variable temperatures and moderate rainfall, resulting in mixed fruit-set across all varieties. The timing of flowering and fruit-set across Marlborough’s sub-regions had a considerable influence on yield. While some subregions achieved healthy crop levels, overall yields were well below the long-term average. From mid-December through to the end of harvest the El Niño weather pattern brought hot and dry conditions, advancing the harvest start date. Cooler nights through the harvest period maintained the retention of natural acidity and slowed ripening. Low yields and open bunches minimised disease pressure, leading to ripe, pure, and intense varietal flavours with excellent acid base. The 2024 vintage is truly outstanding.

Season Standouts

In a great vintage such as 2024, it's a challenge singling out a star. All varieties have benefited from near perfect growing conditions and show excellent varietal expression. Although the mid-season was hot, the cooler harvest period preserved the region’s signature bright, natural acidity. Sauvignon Blanc displays notable sub-regional expressions from which to blend or create stand-alone wines. While Pinot Noir shows deep colour, real depth of rich flavour, but retains the all-important perfume and elegance.

Hawke's Bay & Gisborne

Following the challenges of the Cyclone Gabrielle in the 2023 vintage, 2024 has brought a stunning harvest to both Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne.

Spring saw variable temperatures and higher-than-average rainfall, keeping the water supply high but affecting fruit-set across both regions. This led to low yields, with prolonged flowering. From mid-December, the El Niño weather pattern brought hot and dry weather, accelerating fruit ripening. These favourable growing conditions, combined with low disease pressure, resulted in high fruit quality, exceptional varietal character, and purity of flavour in the resulting wines.

Season Standouts

With no part of the harvest under weather or disease pressure, picking decisions could be based on optimal flavour ripeness and all varieties look superb. Notable examples include Chardonnays from both regions and the dry conditions have been fabulous for our red varieties grown on the Gimblett Gravels. Producing only its second crop of Sauvignon Blanc, our Springhill Vineyard, well inland in Central Hawke's Bay shows tremendous promise.

Above: A selection of the fantastic entries into this year’s photo competition!

Indevin Group partners with NZ Olympic Committee as official wine supplier

Indevin GROUP PROUDLY PARTNERS WITH THE NEW ZEALAND TEAM CHAMPIONING VILLA MARIA AS OFFICIAL WINE SUPPLIER

As excitement builds for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Indevin Group, New Zealand’s leading producer of high-quality wine heroed by the iconic Villa Maria Brand, proudly announces its partnership with the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) as the Official Wine Supplier.   

Indevin will provide its award-winning Villa Maria wines at all NZOC events around the globe, including those hosted at New Zealand House in Paris during the Olympic Games. This partnership emphasises the shared values, vision and commitment of both Indevin and NZOC, while ultimately showcasing the best of New Zealand with the world.  

NZOC CEO Nicki Nicol says the NZOC is proud to welcome Indevin as an official supplier. “We’re thrilled to be welcoming Indevin to our Olympic family at a really exciting time,” said Nicol. 

“Indevin is known for excellence in winemaking and at the NZOC excellence is what we stand for so there’s a really nice synergy between our brands and we look forward to promoting and showcasing their fantastic locally made products.” 

Duncan McFarlane, CEO of Indevin, says, “We are thrilled to support this partnership with our Villa Maria wines for the NZOC and Paris Olympic Games. This is the pinnacle event for New Zealand’s athletes and an opportunity for all New Zealanders to support the hard work and success of our team. At Indevin we believe that we’re stronger together, so we’re honoured to have Villa Maria contribute to the celebrations as our incredible athletes compete on the world stage.”  

Indevin has grown to become New Zealand’s largest wine company in under 20 years, maintaining its global wine credentials and serving as ambassadors for the New Zealand wine industry. McFarlane says supporting NZOC in their mission to enable athletes to reach their Olympic dreams aligns naturally with being a proud New Zealand owned business.   

“At Indevin, we’re dedicated to building a business that supports our communities, reflecting our commitment to the long-term development of the New Zealand wine industry across the globe. We share NZOC’s ambition to deliver meaningful impact both within our own teams, and in the communities within which we live, work and play. 

“As the Official Wine Supplier of the NZOC, we look forward to raising a glass of Villa Maria to the success of New Zealand athletes and contributing to the vibrant spirit of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.”  

Indevin Group appoints Simon Limmer as CEO

Indevin Founder and CEO Duncan McFarlane to retire after 20 years at the helm

Indevin Group, New Zealand's largest producer and exporter of quality wine and owner of the iconic Villa Maria brand, announced today that Silver Fern Farms CEO, Simon Limmer will replace Duncan McFarlane early 2024, further cementing Indevin’s leadership and commitment to the thriving New Zealand wine industry.

McFarlane, who founded Indevin Group in 2003, will retire after 20 years at the helm of the business, a period which saw exponential growth from a contract wine maker to New Zealand’s largest wine company. After his long and successful tenure as CEO, McFarlane will remain a valuable member of Indevin Group as a Board Director and consultant for critical strategic projects, while continuing to serve the New Zealand wine industry in a range of advisory roles.

After five and a half years at Silver Fern Farms, and previously 10 years leading Zespri’s global operations, Limmer joins Indevin Group with an aligned vision of sharing the best of New Zealand with the world.

Indevin Group Chairman, Greg Tomlinson says, “Limmer has a clear affinity with New Zealand primary industries and delivering premium New Zealand brands internationally, both of which are critical to the next chapter of Villa Maria and Indevin Group’s growth strategy.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Simon Limmer as our new CEO. Simon is a highly regarded leader with extensive experience in exporting quality New Zealand products to the world. Simon brings a deep understanding of representing New Zealand brands globally, the importance of grower and partner relationships and is the ideal person to lead Indevin Group into the future.”

Limmer says, “I am excited to be joining the Indevin team and looking forward to playing a part in the next chapter of what is already a great New Zealand success story. I believe that the business will continue to exceed consumer expectations when it comes to offering the best of New Zealand through iconic brands such as Villa Maria. By combining Indevin’s proven ability to grow and produce premium wines with globally recognised brands, there is a very strong model, poised for further growth.”

People of Indevin: Vince Edwards

Next up in our People of Indevin series, celebrating 20 years of Indevin, is Vince Edwards, our Brand Experience Lead who is based at Fairhall Winery in Blenheim and started with Villa Maria in 2001.

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PEOPLE OF INDEVIN

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A korero with…

Vince Edwards

Brand Experience Lead

What’s your favourite thing about working at Indevin?

Getting to meet people from all over the world and sharing our wine with them.

What has been your favourite memory from your time at Indevin?

Too many to pinpoint just one. Taking guests fishing has to be one of them.

What are you most excited about for the future of Indevin/Villa Maria?

Seeing Villa Maria become the No.1 New Zealand brand world-wide.

What makes Indevin such a special place to work?

The opportunities that I’ve been given to try so many new things, while discovering and learning new skills.

What was your most memorable vintage?

It would have to be our 2020 Covid “Coachella” vintage.

What advice would you give to someone joining Indevin?

No matter what job you’re doing, do it well. People will notice.

What Indevin wine do our people absolutely have to try?

The magnificent Ngakirikiri. It’s very close to perfection.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Playing guitar, cycling, walking the dog, spending time with family and friends, reading, puzzles and travelling.

People of Indevin: Priyanka Kulkarni | Winemaker

Next up in our People of Indevin series, celebrating 20 years of Indevin, is one our talented winemakers, Priyanka Kulkarni who is based at our 15 Valley Winery in Blenheim.

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PEOPLE OF INDEVIN

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A korero with…

Priyanka Kulkarni

Winemaker

What’s your favourite thing about working at Indevin?

The amazing people I work with. There is never a dull day at the Indevin Winemaking office.

What has been your biggest highlight from your time at Indevin?

Being a part of this amazing business is the biggest highlight for me. I’m overwhelmed and excited with how the 2023 vintage turned out and the wines are looking stunning.

What are you most excited about for the future of Indevin?

Indevin is growing at such a great pace and I’m so excited to be part of this growth and the opportunities that will come along with it. I'm thrilled to be a part of the biggest wine producer in New Zealand.

What makes Indevin such a special place to work?

Hands down the people! I’m so lucky to have met some outstanding people here who inspire me daily to do better, look after me and are there for me every day. To have a work environment that challenges you to keep pushing to achieve big is very special and I love learning and developing new and existing skills in my career growth as the business continues to grow.

What advice would you give to someone joining Indevin?

You are up for an amazing rollercoaster of a ride! You are going to learn so much and meet some amazing people to learn from.

People of Indevin: 20 Years

2023 is a very special year as we celebrate 20 years of Indevin. This is a huge milestone for everyone who has worked so hard to contribute to the success of our business over the years.

There have been many highlights…four wineries, thousands of hectares harvested, tonnes of grapes processed, vintage meals eaten, beautiful wines drunk, belly laughs, early morning yawns. From our first vintage of approximately 3,000T to over 100,000T last year, it has been a rollercoaster ride and we are loving it.

Over the years, we have been lucky to have had many incredibly talented people working at Indevin. Over th next few months, we’ll be focusing on a few of the people who have contributed to our journey along the years in a series of 20 Year Profiles.

Cheers to the next twenty years!