I was in my early 20s and quickly getting bored with my engineering degree in Auckland. After taking a year or so off studying to work, I was ready for a new challenge that was varied, exciting and fun. I never saw myself chained to a desk so when the opportunity to study winemaking arose, I jumped at it. For me it was a great combination of science, physical work and an opportunity to be creative. It also helped that I had a genuine love for the product I was making.
I spent the next six years as a consultant winemaker, which meant constant travel to France, Spain, Cyprus, Moldova, Bulgaria, Hungary and the Czech Republic. I met Tim Lightbourne (Invivo cofounder) by chance in 2006 and we started talking about heading back to New Zealand to launch our own wine business – Tim is a top marketer and held some senior roles in the industry in Europe, and we thought our combined skills could create a brand of innovative, contemporary and exciting wines. I didn’t need much persuading – Invivo was born!
