WAIPARA HILLS

The lavishly-awarded Waipara Hills has been mastering its Cantabrian terroir for over 20 years Waipara Hills At Waipara Hills, the style is simple: It’s about creating balance, encouraging the characteristics of each season’s fruit to shine, and celebrating the unique terroir that is the region and the Waipara Valley vineyards. The result is wine that is rich, textural and complex. From the vineyard to the winery, the Waipara Hills team are hands on. The Winemaker is Krystal Palmer. She's particularly fond of a juicy Pinot Noir: 'When I make Pinot Noir, it is in a hands-off fashion. With minimal intervention, the purity and elegance of Pinot Noir really shines through.'

After four years tripping around the globe, Krystal returned home to Marlborough, but with itchy feet. Looking for a career change, Krystal bowled up to the local polytech open day, seeking inspiration. Inspiration was found and the rest is history – Krystal graduated with her Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology from Lincoln in 2012.

Krystal has experience across many facets of winemaking, including assistant viticulturist and winemaker, and has done vintages in Marlborough, Waipara, United States and China.

It is red wine that is Krystal’s passion, particularly a juicy pinot noir. “When I make Pinot Noir, it is in a hand off fashion. With minimal intervention, the purity and elegance of Pinot Noir really shines through.”

When it comes to her job, it’s the opportunity to meet and work with amazing people that Krystal thrives on. “As well as the science, I love the art and creativity of winemaking. It is fluid, never stagnant – there are so many challenges and different branches to winemaking. I love that.”

Outside of work hours, you’ll find Krystal with her family, on the stage singing, dancing or acting, or in the surf.