Our People

Rob White, Chief Executive Officer

Rob joined the team at Grove Mill in July 2003. He has an extensive general management and marketing background in several agriculture and food-based industries in New Zealand and Australia including with Heinz Wattie and Goodman Fielder. Following several years in Australia Rob and wife Linda decided it was time to return to New Zealand and his interest in wine along with the attractions of the Marlborough lifestyle made joining Grove Mill an easy choice. Rob has a tertiary degree from Auckland University and studied a Master of Business at Macquarie University in Sydney. Rob enjoys the Marlborough lifestyle, getting out into the Marlborough Sounds and developing his wine cellar, cooking and when time allows a game of golf.

John Jackson, Winemaker

Craig Young, Vineyard Manager

Craig Young has been with Grove Mill since August 2001. He is responsible for the day to day running for all of Grove Mill's Vineyards and was instrumental in the development of our Seventeen Valley Vineyard. Out of work, Craig enjoys fine wine, sport, the great outdoors and photography. 

Boyd Gardner, Sales Manager

Boyd joined Grove Mill in March 2005, with a strong background in the wine industry in On Premise, Fine Wine and Grocery wine sales. Originally from Taranaki and having studied at Otago University, Boyd has embarked on the arduous MBA journey focusing primarily on the New Zealand wine industry. Currently in his 4th and final year Boyd is completing his MBA thesis on New Zealand wine brand positioning and category development in global markets. An All Blacks (ABs) supporter to the core, Boyd is looking forward to the 2011 World Cup and the AB’s bringing home the trophy.

Andrew Barraclough, UK & Europe Business Manager

An Englishman based from his home office in London, Andrew joined Grove Mill in February 2009. His association with the wines goes back to 2003 when he brought them into the portfolio of the UK importer where he was working at the time. A member of the wine trade for over 15 years, he has developed prestige wine brands from all over the world in the UK market. After a first visit to New Zealand in 2002, he caught the Kiwi bug. Despite now being an unofficial ambassador for all things NZ, his choice in rugby shirts remains firmly white.

Peter Sanders, Sales Administration

Peter joined the Grove Mill team in July 2007 after relocating to Marlborough for the wonderful climate, lifestyle and wine. Prior to that, Peter spent 20 years in sales and marketing within the food industry in Christchurch. Peter enjoys the wine industry as with each vintage brings with it a whole new set of products and challenges. Outside of work, Peter enjoys trout fishing and visitors to our cellar door often learn as much about Marlborough rivers, as they do about our wines.

Jane Trought – CFO/Finance Manager

CFO/Finance Manager Jane Trought is a Chartered Accountant in New Zealand and a Certified Practising Accountant in Australia with extensive knowledge and experience in the Australasian wine industry. Jane joined the Company in August 1999.

Craig Fowles – Sustainability and Operations Manager

Craig started working at Grove Mill in July 2009 having just completed a Masters in Environmental Studies, a BSc in Environmental Studies and a BCA in Accounting and a whirlwind adventure through Europe. Previous to working at Grove Mill, Craig worked at the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants where he held the position of Project Manager for the Sustainable Development Reporting Committee and also worked at the Trackside TV studios in Avalon. Craig enjoys working at Grove Mill because of the opportunity to gain an in depth knowledge of the wine industry whilst working at his passion of sustainability and carbon accounting, to which Grove Mill is a world leader. Outside of work Craig enjoys all things family, environmental, fishing and sport orientated, with a particular interest in harness racing.

Donna Ngatai – Administration Assistant

Donna Ngatai is the pulse that keeps our office alive. Employed by Grove Mill in 2011 Donna plays an invaluable role in our organisation, undertaking many roles including that very friendly voice that answers many of our phone calls throughout the day. Prior to working with us, Donna worked and lived in Invercargill.  Donna and her husband Steven enjoy exploring the Marlborough Sounds on their weekends.