OUR WINEMAKERS

Meet the personalities behind our award-winning wines

CHIEF WINEMAKER CHRISTOPHER KEYS

Christopher Keys joined the Gibbston Valley Winery family in 2006.

With an artistic background, including both language and literature degrees from Lincoln University, Christopher realised he had nothing to use them for, until he ventured into life as a winemaker.

From 1998 to 2006, he worked in wineries in Hawke’s Bay, the USA and France; a period notable for soaking up as much wine and wine knowledge as possible.

Christopher oversees the winemaking at Gibbston Valley, oftentimes with a camera in hand to engage his other passion, photography.

SASCHA HERBERT

Hailing from Australia, Sascha developed an infectious joy of toiling amongst vineyards from her father and uncle

In the quest for the ultimate working lifestyle, Sascha threw herself into a Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Oenology) from the University of Adelaide. Her vast practical experience throughout Australia, New Zealand and Europe has balanced these academic basics.

In search of the ultimate Pinot Noir Winemaking post, Sascha entered into the talent contest at Gibbston Valley Wines. Although she did not win, she is exhilarated by just experiencing the daily challenges that working with Christopher and the GVW team brings. It helps that she's ever so slightly mad!

MATT SWIRTZ

Matt Swirtz is the man responsible for everything at Gibbston Valley.

Matt works hardest during harvest, digging out all the fermenters, and completes a large part deal of the cellar work in between times. He also looks after wine sales within the region, and keeps the Gibbston Valley facility roaring on all cylinders.

Matt’s broad shoulders have come from Flint, Michigan. He is fairly and squarely a kiwi now – he knows it’s illegal to throw when bowling at cricket, and only rarely does so. Cool under any amount of pressure, he appears in goal for the Southern Stampede Ice Hockey team.