REGION: Marlborough

Huia Vineyards (pronounced “HOO-yah”) is one of Marlborough’s few producers dedicated to making minimal intervention, organically farmed wines. The name “Huia” is a nod to the now-extinct Huia bird, sacred in Māori culture, a symbol of honor, partnership, and respect.

In 2001, Brian Bicknell and his wife decided to return home to New Zealand to start their winery, after making wine around the world. Feeling as though the personality of Marlborough was getting lost, he started small wth just a 1.5 ha parcel and continues to focus on great vineyard sites above all.

Mount Riley is a true family winery with founder John Buchanan's daughter Amy managing winery operations and his son-in-law, Amy’s husband, Matt Murphy as the winemaker. In a region dominted by "oil refinery" wineries, this producer of sustainably farmed values separates itself from the competition.