A former senior viticulturist with Montana Wines in Hawke's Bay, John has overseen the development of all of the vineyards for Crossroads Winery. He has a Bachelor of Horticultural Science degree from Massey University specialising in Viticulture and Oenology and has a wealth of practical experience, having grown up on a vineyard and having managed his own vineyards.

John is a fervent believer that grape growing must leave a delicate footprint on the land. To this end, he is committed to sustainability, has lectured in horticulture and viticulture for more than 10 years at the Eastern Institute of Technology and has been on the New Zealand Winegrowers research committee. 

 

Wine is balanced with other passions. John is a keen sportsman having played age-grade and representative provincial rugby and has also achieved several national surf lifesaving medals in rowing.  In 1995, he also once rowed the 67km (42 miles) of New Zealand's Cook Strait, a very challenging stretch of water.

He still enjoys keeping fit with jogging and road cycling, also enjoys wine, gardening, home-theatre/Hi Fi, listening to music, playing guitar and recording his music.

Matthew Mitchell's working life has revolved around wine. His experience includes vintages in three countries in both hemispheres. Born in 1966 in Wellington, Matthew attended Massey University graduating with an honours degree in food technology. From there, he went on to the University of Adelaide, graduating with a post-graduate Diploma of Wine Technology in 1991.

Matthew's practical experience began in Nelson, focusing on Pinot Noir and aromatic whites. An abiding passion for Pinot Noir took him to the Yarra Valley in Victoria, Australia and Oregon's Willamette Valley. Returning to New Zealand in 1997, he signed on with Villa Maria, the country's largest privately owned winery before taking control of Corbans Hawke's Bay winery - a major achievement for a young winemaker. A change of ownership resulted in Matt's promotion to work alongside Tony Pritchard at the iconic Church Road winery in Hawkes Bay.

Matt joined Crossroads Winery in 2002, and in 2005 he was appointed Principal Winemaker, with responsibility for all winemaking operations in both Hawkes Bay and Marlborough. His innate understanding of the key winemaking elements of balance and character means that he strives to preserve the intense lusciousness of the fruit of Marlborough.

 

Miles completed several vintages as a cellar hand in New Zealand and USA, before he

obtained a post-graduate diploma, Viticulture and Oenology from Lincoln University, Christchurch in 2003. He joined Crossroads Winery in 2002, working with our Principal Winemaker, Matthew Mitchell, until taking responsibility for all of our Hawkes Bay winemaking in 2005.