OUR STORIED HERITAGE
PIONEERING the
HAWKE’S BAY WINE INDUSTRY
It has been over 125 incredible years since the journey began on the site
where Church Road now stands. Over 125 years of capturing the riches of the
Hawke’s Bay region, harnessing the natural terroir
and individual character of the vineyards.
1897
Our Journey begins
A winery was established in 1897 by Bartholomew Steinmetz, a Luxembourg émigré who came to New Zealand to make wine for the Marist Brothers Catholic Mission (known today as the Mission Estate Winery).
The LEGACY of
TOM MCDONALD
1921—1987
In the span of five years, Tom McDonald OBE graduated from washing recycled bottles at age 14 to leasing and running the business. A decade later, he purchased the winery outright and his desire to expand the footprint of the business grew in tandem with the expanding palate of New Zealand viticulture.
With a passion for exceptional wines and an entrepreneurial spirit, he is remembered today as one of the founding fathers of New Zealand winemaking. It’s in his honour that Church Road’s finest TOM wines are named.
The HEART of
NEW ZEALAND WINEMAKING
2005 –
PRESENT
Our winemaking philosophy
Masterful
craftsmanship
Winemakers have to be artists, scientists and craftspeople — artists in developing a clear vision of
what it is they want to create; scientists in figuring out what processes have to take place in the wine; and craftspeople in
applying the lessons from tradition and experience to make it happen. The Church Road winemaking
team have all honed these skills at the winery, with the results
showing through in every bottle.
MEET the WINEMAKERS
CHIEF WINEMAKER
Chris Scott
NEW ZEALAND WINEMAKER OF THE YEAR
WINESTATE MAGAZINE
2013 2016 2020
2021 2022
A passion for wine led Chris Scott to Hawke’s Bay. He started his career at Church Road Winery in 1998 as a cellar hand, after previously working summer months at Fernhill and McDonald vineyards while studying for a degree in wine science. In 2005, Chris was appointed Chief Winemaker. His philosophy of executing traditional techniques to add depth of flavour and layers of texture to exceptional quality Hawke’s Bay fruit stands him apart in creating award-winning wines full of character.
Chris Scott is one of New Zealand’s most celebrated winemakers having been named New Zealand Winemaker of the Year by Winestate Magazine in 2013, 2016, 2020, 2021 and 2022.
The TEAM
VITICULTURE AREA MANAGER
Graham Bartleet
Graham has been responsible for Viticulture in Hawke’s Bay for the last 16 years. When leading staff management, vineyard yield, quality and sustainability, no two days are the same. Graham is driven by working with a cohesive vineyard team with a shared goal of producing world-class wines.
OPERATIONS WINEMAKER
Craig Thomas
Craig has over 29 Vintages of experience from New Zealand to France and the US. Despite the myriad challenges that come with winemaking, Craig’s role is immensely rewarding and creatively fulfilling. For Craig, winemaking at Church Road is a balance of science and intuition combined with the artistry and collaborative spirit that comes from the aim of constantly striving to create exceptional wines.
VITICULTURALIST
Claire Pinker
Claire has been part of the Viticulture team at Church Road since 2018. With a deep respect for the land, she is practically orientated and has always had a love for food and wine. Having a career that combines both wine and agriculture is incredibly fulfilling for Claire.
WINEMAKING AMBASSADOR
Aileen Luo
Aileen wears many hats at Church Road, diving into research projects with winemakers while also communicating with wine lovers. Her presence ensures that every sip tells a story of innovation, tradition, and craftsmanship.
ASSISTANT WINEMAKER
Tetsuaki Ishibashi
Tetsuaki joined the winemaking team for vintage 2015, marking 8 years with Church Road. As assistant winemaker at Church Road, Tetsuaki is responsible for grape intake, fermentation and conducting winemaking trials to ensure we create wines of exceptional quality, without exception.
VITICULTURE AREA MANAGER
Graham Bartleet
Graham has been responsible for Viticulture in Hawke’s Bay for the last 16 years. When leading staff management, vineyard yield, quality and sustainability, no two days are the same. Graham is driven by working with a cohesive vineyard team with a shared goal of producing world-class wines.
OPERATIONS WINEMAKER
Craig Thomas
Craig has over 29 Vintages of experience from New Zealand to France and the US. Despite the myriad challenges that come with winemaking, Craig’s role is immensely rewarding and creatively fulfilling. For Craig, winemaking at Church Road is a balance of science and intuition combined with the artistry and collaborative spirit that comes from the aim of constantly striving to create exceptional wines.
VITICULTURALIST
Claire Pinker
Claire has been part of the Viticulture team at Church Road since 2018. With a deep respect for the land, she is practically orientated and has always had a love for food and wine. Having a career that combines both wine and agriculture is incredibly fulfilling for Claire.
WINEMAKING AMBASSADOR
Aileen Luo
Aileen wears many hats at Church Road, diving into research projects with winemakers while also communicating with wine lovers. Her presence ensures that every sip tells a story of innovation, tradition, and craftsmanship.
ASSISTANT WINEMAKER
Tetsuaki Ishibashi
Tetsuaki joined the winemaking team for vintage 2015, marking 8 years with Church Road. As assistant winemaker at Church Road, Tetsuaki is responsible for grape intake, fermentation and conducting winemaking trials to ensure we create wines of exceptional quality, without exception.
GREAT WINE CAPITALS
GLOBAL NETWORK
ONE of the WORLD’S
TWELVE GREAT WINE CAPITALS
Thanks to its unique selection of soils and microclimates, the Hawke’s Bay region is known for producing excellent wines from a wide range of varietals,
including Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris.
The accolade reflects the quality of the wine at Hawke’s Bay and the experience on offer to visitors, whether that be long vineyard lunches,
soaking up live music at events like our Church Road Live Summer Sessions or transport options like the Hawke’s Bay Cycle Trail.
“As winemakers we are very lucky to live and work in Hawke’s Bay.
Here at Church Road, over 125 years of heritage has given us an enviable understanding of a
region that is blessed with a combination of soils and a climate that is
perfect for high-quality winemaking.”
Chris Scott,
Chief Winemaker Church Road
“Hawke’s Bay has been regarded as one of the premier wine growing regions in
New Zealand, and indeed the world, for many years and today’s recognition, as one of the
Great Wine Capitals of the World, demonstrates this.”
Craig Thomas,
Operations Winemaker
“From Tuki Tuki clays to Gimblett Gravels and further inland to elevated Matapiro terraces,
Hawke’s Bay has the mesoclimates and soils to produce high quality examples
of most wine styles. Bold and complex reds however are the standouts
that the region is deservedly renowned for.”
Graham Bartleet
Viticulture Area Manager
THE CHURCH ROAD
ART INITIATIVE
Where ARTISTRY
MEETS EXCELLENCE
Just as an artist draws on creative expression, instinct, science,
and materiality, so too do the winemakers at Church Road. In honour of this shared affinity and to
support the cultural vibrancyof the region,we are proud to partner with MTG Hawke’s Bay on the
Church Road Art Initiative – amultiyear partnership that awards a bursary
to an emerging or mid-career artist.
