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.
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.
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.
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.
Emma Lowe
Winemaker /manager at Monowai Estate in Crownthorpe, Emma graduated with a degree in winemaking from Adelaide University (Australia) and has since made wines in Australia, Switzerland, South Africa, France, Chile and New Zealand.
Ian Quinn
Ian, along with his wife Linda, grows grapes on the Two Terraces Vineyard, located on the Mangatahi Terraces. His personal focus is on growing fruit for winemakers looking to make premium wines. On the board, Ian joined in 2018 and is relatively focused on the viticulture side of Hawke’s Bay Winegrower’s work. He is the deputy chair of the HBVINE group and has been supporting the local organising committee for the Hawke’s Bay Young Vit competition for several years.
Bridget Wilton
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.
Mike Henley
Mike Henley is the 495th Master of Wine globally. Mike has held pivotal management roles at iconic Hawke’s Bay wineries, including Smith & Sheth, Trinity Hill, and Craggy Range. A director at New Zealand Winegrowers, Hawkes Bay Winegrowers, and Hawkes Bay Tourism, Mike Henley continues to shape the industry with his passion and expertise.
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.
