Winemaker, Kumeu River Wines
Michael studied Oenology at Roseworthy College in South Australia, where he was Dux in 1981. He returned to the family winery in Kumeu to take up responsibility for wine production in 1982. He has travelled extensively through the world’s wine areas and spent the 1983 vintage in France with Jean Pierre Moueix in Libourne, near Bordeaux.
Michael developed a new range of wines under the “Kumeu River” label. It is the Chardonnay that has enjoyed the greatest critical acclaim and commercial success in international markets, particularly in the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia.
In 1989 Michael passed the Examination and became New Zealand’s first member of the Institute of Masters of Wine, London.
He has considerable experience in judging at the Air New Zealand Wine Awards, where he served as Chair of Judges 2012-2016, and also judged at the Australian National Capital Wine Show in Canberra, the Royal Hobart Wine Show in Tasmania, the Perth Royal Wine Show and the Royal Adelaide Wine Show. He was Chair of Judges at Royal Adelaide from 2015-2017.
In 2024 he was made a Fellow of New Zealand Winegrowers for services to winemaking.
Michael was also honoured by the Institute of Masters of Wine and the drinks business as the 2024 Winemakers’ Winemaker. This award recognises outstanding achievement in winemaking, and is voted on by Masters of Wine winemakers and the previous award recipients.
“I am looking forward to being able to share some experience, insight and ideas around the production of Chardonnay wine in New Zealand.”
