THORNBURY

Thornbury was established in 1997 with the express intention of creating a selection of quality New Zealand wines to inspire wine lovers around the world. We believe there is space in the world for winemaking know-how to be matched with imagination and zeal to produce wines with flair and flavour. We have taken the approach that we are, first and foremost, making wines to give pleasure, wines that celebrate life. The image of the dancing piper which adorns the label of each bottle of our wine is that of Dionysus, Greek God of Wine. Much is written about colourful antics of Dionysus and he was certainly an advocate of living life to the full. In this regard Thornbury wines could have no better champion. We have embraced the Dionysian notion of celebrating the joy of life and living: Through the riches of the land, we have created wines that brim with flavour for you to savour with every glass.

SIMON FELL

Simon Fell - After tasting the European way of life, Thornburys winemaker Simon Fell decided that a career in winemaking was the way to go. Returning to New Zealand he added to his Bachelor of Science degree by enrolling in a Wine Science Diploma at Tairawhiti Polytechnic in Gisborne. Desiring to gain valuable work experience, his career took him on a journey throughout the country and around the world, working vintages in regions such as Central Otago, Oregon, Bordeaux and Western Australia.Simon returned to New Zealand in 2003 to take up a position with Hawkes Bays Vidal Wines where he remained until 2006 when he took up the position of Thornburys winemaker. The opportunity to produce varietal wines from each of New Zealands key winegrowing regions is extremely exciting, says Simon.