His passion for wine and natural ability has seen Dave Roper become an integral part of the Villa Maria Auckland Winemaking team. Roper began his career in wine at Villa Maria in 2002 as a cellar hand. His flair for winemaking was apparent from the outset, and in 2005 he was promoted to Assistant Winemaker. Having developed his skill and knowledge across all of Villa Maria’s wines, Roper’s talent was once again recognised and he was promoted to the position of Auckland Winemaker in 2007, then to Senior Auckland Winemaker in 2015, the position he currently holds.

Roper was raised in New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty by two science teacher parents and holds a degree in Microbiology, graduating from the Auckland University of Technology in 1995. Drawn toward the wine industry in 1999, he studied at the Eastern Institute of Technology in Hawkes Bay, completing a Certificate in Winemaking. During his career he has worked vintages in Oregon and Washington State and has judged at the Royal Easter Show Wine Awards and Air New Zealand Wine Awards over the last 4 years. Roper believes winemaking “requires both a strong appreciation of art plus an understanding of science.”