Our Board
Originally established as the Hawke’s Bay Grape Growers Association and Hawke’s Bay Winemakers Ltd in the early 1980s, the entities merged in 2007, giving rise to the current Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers Association. HBWGA is governed by an eight-member Board. Directors are elected by ballot by members of both grape growers and winemakers voting groups.
Our Executive Officer and a team of two manage the Association.
Sally Duncan
With over 20 years’ experience in the wine industry, Sally Duncan is a well-known figure amongst New Zealand wine circles.
Current chair of the Hawkes Bay Winegrowers Association for over four years, Sally has also served on the New Zealand Winegrowers Marketing committee and the Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers Marketing Board. Sally holds an impressive employment history with her long-standing tenure as Sales and Marketing Director for Te Mata Estate, one of New Zealand’s leading wineries, and now as New Zealand Country Manager for global wine retailer, Laithwaites.
Sally works tirelessly to champion the interests of the local wine industry, has helped to facilitate industry growth, and elevated the profile of Hawke’s Bay wine on the global stage. Sally brings her incredible knowledge and passion to the Hawke’s Bay Great Wine Capitals committee.
Sally was appointed to the Board in 2017.
Peter Hurlston
Currently Operations Manager for Pernod Ricard Winemaker’s Hawke’s Bay based at Church Road Winery. After graduating as a Bioprocess Engineer, Peter joined the wine industry just on thirty years ago, working in the cellar and then training as a winemaker before assuming responsibility for the Hawke’s Bay operation.
Presently Deputy Chair of HBWG and he has represented members as a director of HBWG across several terms over many years, more recently with a focus in the water advocacy space.
Peter is extremely passionate about the Hawke’s Bay wine industry and the diverse range of exceptional wines which can be produced here. Equally he understands the pressure and challenges of growing grapes, making wine and enjoys working with fellow board members to support the broader industry.
Peter was elected to the Board in 2014.
Amy Hopkinson-Styles
My name is Amy Hopkinson-Styles, my role on the board is Chair of the People and Environment Committee. Our committee is responsible for the Climate Change policy, Independent Growers initiative, Te Tiriti and Te Reo Strategy, Aotearoa Chardonnay Symposium and regional technical workshops.
Amy was appointed to the Board in 2019.
David T Peabody
David has been in the wine industry for 16 years, having worked in viticulture, the cellar, export and marketing as well as domestic sales. David is the third generation working in the Craggy Range business. David brings to the board an understanding of international markets with sales experience in Asia, Australia & New Zealand.
David was elected to the Board in 2022.
Oliver Kettle
Oliver Kettle is Hawke’s Bay born and raised. He has worked in Wine Sales, Marketing and Distribution for over 10 years and in that time he has represented several top Hawkes Bay producers. Now Sales and Marketing manager of Paritua Vineyards and Winery, Oliver is passionate about telling the Hawkes Bay Story to the global market. He also is chair of Marketing for the Bridge Pa Triangle group.
Oliver was appointed to the Board in 2024.
Emma Lowe
Emma began her wine career over 30 years ago after completing a four-year Oenology program at the University of Adelaide, with an exchange year at UC Davis, California. Her extensive global experience includes winemaking roles in Australia, Switzerland, South Africa, and France (Rhone and Loire Valleys). After several years in Chile, working in winemaking and management, Emma and her husband Marcelo moved to Hawke’s Bay in 2002 to establish Monowai Estate in Crownthorpe, on the banks of the Ngaruroro River. Their 22ha vineyard, in a cooler, higher-altitude area, is where they craft premium wines exclusively from their own grapes. Emma manages winemaking, daily operations, sales, and marketing, while also engaging in occasional vineyard work, ensuring her involvement in all aspects of the business.
Emma was appointed to the Board in 2018.
Wim Barendsen
I am an independent grape grower based on Maraekakaho Road in the Bridge Pa Triangle, cultivating mainly red varieties for various wine companies. After 30 years in dairy farming, operating a 380-cow farm in Norsewood, my late wife and I transitioned to viticulture, driven by a passion for producing quality wine. To deepen my understanding of the industry, I completed a degree in viticulture and winemaking. We acquired our first 18.5 ha vineyard in 2012 and expanded with an additional 8.5 ha in 2015. I actively participate in industry events and am a member of Hawke’s Bay Independent Grape Growers.
Wim was elected to the Board in 2024.
Bridget Wilton, Independent Growers Group
From studying horticulture to managing vineyards across Wairarapa, Gisborne, and Hawke’s Bay, I have been involved in development projects, day to day vineyard management, health and safety systems, the beginnings of what is now SWNZ and the introduction of computers for budgeting and payroll. I then spent 10 years working full time and dabbling in grape growing. leasing my first block of grapes in Central Hawkes Bay for Vintage 2013. Vintage 2018 I took on my first Managed block and joined the Cyclone Recovery Viticulture team after Cyclone Gabrielle this year.
Bridget was appointed to the Board in 2023.
Our Team
Brent Linn
Brent is the Executive Officer for HBWG and also owns and operates his own vineyard and wine label Wairiki. Brent brings extensive experience to the executive team, having previously worked in the Finance and Primary Sectors.
