Pip is the Associate Winemaker at Palliser Estate in Martinborough. She joined Palliser in 2004 after completing the Postgraduate Diploma in Viticulture and Oenology (with Distinction) at Lincoln University. Palliser Estate is world renowned as a consistent producer of ultra- premium NZ wine. It focuses on Pinot noir, Sauvignon blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot gris and Methode Traditionelle, and has achieved success with each variety, winning gold medals and trophies over the entire range.

Pip is responsible for all aspects of the wine making process in consultation with the Chief Winemaker & Viticulturist, Allan Johnson who has been with Palliser for over 20 years. She enjoys all aspects of winemaking, with attention to detail being paramount in each step of making quality wine. She particularly loves the blending process in which the evolvement of the grape to final wine is measured and assessed in the glass.

Environmental Manager is another role of Pip’s which involves being responsible for maintaining and implementing Palliser’s environmental policies and initiatives which they have had in place long before environmental issues were everyday topics. Pip was the driving force behind Palliser being the first winery in the world to achieve CEMARS (Certified Emissions Management and Reduction Scheme) certification a few years ago. She also started a compositing initiative for grape by-products and been responsible for Palliser’s involvement with the local Onoke Spit restoration project.

Pip hasn’t always made wine. She was a management consultant and fully qualified accountant with 10 years commercial business experience in a variety of roles with large multinational corporates in New Zealand, Australia and England, before applying her wine tasting experience and passion into a career.

After making the decision to ditch the corporate world in favour of the wine world, Pip spent a few years doing vintages in Gisborne, Martinborough, Canterbury, Napa Valley and then went on to Lincoln University to complete the formal part of her winemaking training.

Pip has juggled having 2 children and marrying Matt (in that order!) over the last 5 vintages.