Marlborough
Bart Arnst - Viticultural Consultant
After being introduced to the culture of wine whilst landscape gardening in France, Bart returned to NZ and studied Viticulture. After a 3 year stint in Canterbury, he moved North to Blenheim where he initially worked for Montana Wines before accepting a position as Viticulturalist at Seresin Estate. Now a Viticultural consultant, Bart’s knowledge of organic and bio-dynamic practices compliment Rockferry’s vision of “wines of place”.
Sam’s background is in Environmental Biology and Integrated Pest Management. She completed her BSc (Hons) at Adelaide University and following that, was employed as an Environmental Consultant in Western Australia. She recently completed a PhD at Lincoln University, where she studied organic pest management techniques for controlling lightbrown apple moth in vineyards. This work further stimulated her interest in the wine industry. After completing her PhD, she worked as Technical Officer at Seresin Estate for one year, until she was offered her current position at Fishtail Vineyards.
Sam’s current position is Vineyard Manager of the Corners Vineyard on Hammerichs Rd in Marlborough. The vineyard is in its first year of conversion to organics with Bio-Gro New Zealand. As the vineyard is organically managed, it requires rigorous monitoring for pests and diseases, open canopy management is employed to alleviate disease risk, mechanical under-vine weeding is used to allow herbicide-free weed control and the use of alternative products such as, EM (effective micro-organisms) and Seaweed Flour are used to maintain a healthy and productive vineyard from which exceptional wines are made.
Sam would like to see the Corners Vineyard continue to employ techniques that minimise impact on the land and the surrounding environment. She would like to see other grape growers use these techniques and hopes that the Corners Vineyard may be used as an example that it is both possible and viable to manage your vineyard without the use of agrochemicals.
Sam loves traveling, sampling regional food and considers chocolate to be one of the five food groups.
Jason has a very hands-on approach in his management of our vineyard. He is backed up by a highly motivated team led by Mark Naismith who run’s the day to day operations. Mark has completed studying viticulture and winemaking via the Hawke's Bay Polytechnic.
In Jason's short time in Central Otago he has designed and developed vineyards, assisted in vintages in the winery and runs a successful management team. His continued dedication to growing the best quality grapes greatly assists the winemaker and will give consistency and quality to the Freefall brand. His firm belief is that great wines are the result of positive site selection, diligent viticultural management and skillful wine craft. Jason’s personal satisfaction is a big motivator in striving to produce the best that this site can produce.
On a more personal note Jason and his partner Justine welcomed their twins Jorja and Connor into the world on November 13th 2005, this has kept Jason busy around the clock but he tells me it is all worthwhile and he is relishing his new job as father of two energetic babies. The only strictly enforced rule in the house is that babies are in bed and quiet, in time for any All Black games!