\u010cuvar Winery has announced that Dave Mackintosh<\/b> has joined the team as Senior Winemaker, taking over from Michelle Richardson<\/b>. Dave has been part of their group since January, but it is now official.<\/p>\n
Dave grew up in Hawke\u2019s Bay, having his first taste of Gimblett Gravels Cabernet in 1998. After completing a degree in Viticulture and Oenology at Lincoln University, he gained experience across Marlborough, Canterbury, and Hawke\u2019s Bay before heading overseas. His career has taken him through Burgundy, Oregon, the Hunter Valley, and the Yarra Valley, where he spent five years at Giant Steps before launching his own label, Arfion. More recently, he started Kenzie Wines back here in Hawke\u2019s Bay.<\/p>\n
Creative, charismatic, and with a deep respect for nature, Dave takes a minimal-interventionist approach to winemaking, preferring to let the vineyard and seasons tell their own story. An artist as well as a winemaker, he brings both creativity and storytelling to the craft. Dave will be hands-on in the winery while also connecting with customers and sharing the \u010cuvar story more widely.<\/p>\n
Karen Fistonich<\/b>, Executive Director of Fistonich Family Vineyards, says:
\n\u201cDave embodies everything we value at \u010cuvar \u2013 respect for the land, authenticity, and creativity. His knowledge of Hawke\u2019s Bay\u2019s vineyards and soils, combined with his global perspective and engaging personality, make him the perfect fit for our future.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dave Mackintosh adds:
\n\u201cI\u2019m excited to craft wines that tell the story of Hawke\u2019s Bay \u2013 its seasons, its soils, its people \u2013 and to build on the incredible foundation laid by Michelle and the Fistonich family.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u010cuvar Winery was founded by Sir George Fistonich<\/b> in 2023, \u010cuvar honours the Croatian pioneers \u2014 and many others \u2014 who helped shape New Zealand\u2019s wine story. Rooted in Fistonich Family heritage, they are dedicated to preserving and nurturing the essence of New Zealand wine and its deep connection to place. From the heart of Hawke\u2019s Bay, the wines embody purity, pedigree, and the belief that we are all guardians of today for tomorrow.<\/p>\n
\u010cuvar sits within the Fistonich Family Vineyards<\/b> portfolio, alongside the Gimblett Gravels brand, Stonecroft<\/b> \u2013 pioneers of New Zealand Syrah \u2013 and Obliix<\/b>, a fun retail-focused label.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u010cuvar Winery has announced that Dave Mackintosh has joined the team as Senior Winemaker, taking over from Michelle Richardson. Dave has been part of their group since January, but it … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13452,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13450","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n