INVIVO

NZ wine company Invivo & Co make wine and gin their mates would drink, and they talk about it the same way they would: down to earth and avoid the fluff! They believe in bringing people together so that great things happen and are renowned for their collaborations with Graham Norton and Sarah Jessica Parker. Founded by two Kiwi school friends Rob Cameron and Tim Lightbourne in 2008, they are the largest equity crowdfunded winery in the Southern Hemisphere and work with producer partners around the world to produce premium, quality wines and gin. To read more about them head to their website: www.invivowines.com

Rob Cameron

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!