GENERAL MANAGER/DIRECTOR
Sion Barnsley
Sion’s family has been involved with Lawson’s Dry Hills since its inception, with his parents being one of the original shareholders. After a ten-year stint in banking, Sion was ready to return to his home town of Blenheim. In March 2000 Sion accepted the role of Business Manager with Lawson’s Dry Hills, becoming General Manager in 2009.
Sion and partner Biddy own a beautiful vineyard in the Waihopai Valley and supply their Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir to the company.
Sip of choice – LDH Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2024
SALES AND MARKETING MANAGER
Belinda Jackson
Belinda’s life-long passion for wine began in Bordeaux in the mid-eighties, before returning to the UK and undertaking sales and marketing roles. Prior to coming to NZ in ’95 she was the Wine Category Manager for one of the big brewers, where she was responsible for sourcing and marketing some 750,000 cases of wine from all over the world to more than 15,000 on-premise outlets. In NZ, Belinda worked sourcing wine, managing brands and developing marketing strategies within liquor retail. She then set up as an independent consultant, working across many aspects of the NZ wine industry, including establishing two of NZ’s leading wine competitions. She has three books published and has been a regular wine commentator on Radio NZ. Belinda joined Lawson’s Dry Hills in May 2014.
Sip of choice – LDH Riesling 2020
WINEMAKER
Marcus Wright
Marcus’s love of good wine came from friends passionate about NZ’s Wine Options competition. He joined them for various tastings and then competed as part of the team. In 1997 he worked with Montana as a cellar hand during vintage and then as their Cellarmaster. He then headed to South America to work the 2000 vintage in Chile for Vina San Pedro, in the Central Valley. Next was the Loire Valley, France for vintage with the highly-respected Jacques Lurton, making white wines including Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc. Marcus started with Lawson’s Dry Hills in 2001 and continues to enjoy producing a number of wine styles from the company’s vineyards.
Sip of choice – The Pioneer Tilly’s Pinot Noir 2021
WINEMAKER
Rebecca Wiffen
Rebecca began her winemaking career working for Coopers Creek for three years starting in 1997. This was followed by two years working as a cellar hand for a number of Marlborough wineries before heading overseas for some vintage experience. She worked in the Napa Valley (2002) and then Alsace (2003).
Her first winemaker’s role was with Domaine de La Vahnale and Domaine Croix Maro in Languedoc, France in 2005. She joined Lawson’s Dry Hills in 2004 and continues to bring great energy and enthusiasm to the winemaking team.
VITICULTURIST
Richard Hunter
Hailing from North Yorkshire, Richard grew up on a farm. He joined the family business growing fruit and vegetables for supermarkets in the United Kingdom, as well as running a lowland flock of breeding sheep.
Wishing to establish a career in the wine industry, in 2008 he emigrated to Marlborough, and has been managing vineyards ever since. Richard brings extensive experience and a passion for regenerative vineyard practices, along with a strong focus on sustainable viticulture to future-proof the land. His commitment to growing premium quality fruit comes with an emphasis on creating optimal soil health, efficient use of water and sheep-integrated vineyard management.
CELLAR DOOR MANAGER
Nigel Whittaker
With a passion for wine, Nigel has over thirty years sales experience within the New Zealand wine industry. Born in New Zealand, educated in the U.K., Nigel has qualifications in graphic design and a keen interest in art and history.
Nigel enjoys imparting his knowledge of Marlborough and its wines with visitors to the Cellar door.
Sip of choice – LDH Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2024
THE FOUNDERS
Ross and Barbara Lawson
The original vineyard was planted on Alabama Road in 1982 by the Lawson’s. They sold their grapes to other producers, before launching their own label, Lawson’s Dry Hills, in 1992. Ross wore many hats during his lifetime: sheep musterer, swimming pool contractor, opossum hunter and of course viticulturist. He was a leading influence in the NZ Screwcap Wine Seal Initiative, which saw screwcaps used on 90% of NZ bottled wine by 2008. These diverse skills together with a never-ceasing quest for perfection helped shape LDH into the successful company it is today. Sadly Ross passed away after losing his battle with cancer in 2009. Barbara was a theatre nurse and managed the marketing their wines. She has always been an enthusiastic ambassador for the company, travelling far and wide. Her favourite market was Rarotonga, where she now spends her winters. There’s barely a bar or restaurant on the island without LDH wines!
Sip of choice – LDH Reserve Chardonnay 2023
OWNERS
Tim and Pauline Evill
Tim has always spent as much time as possible in New Zealand, in 1995 he and his wife Pauline bought the Public Trust building in Blenheim and created the Hotel d’Urville. Here he met Ross Lawson and together they began buying vineyards around Marlborough.
After so many years in partnership with Ross and Barbara, it seemed only natural for Tim and Pauline to eventually buy the Lawson family shares when Barbara chose to retire.