Chris Darling, Chief Winemaker
Growing up in Australia, Chris’ interest in wine first stemmed from his father – an avid wine lover himself, who shared the stories and mystiques of the world of wine with his son. This initial interest soon turned into a passion, which led Chris to pursue a career in the industry with the aim of crafting wines which could be enjoyed the world over.
After completing an Oenology degree at Roseworthy College in Adelaide, Chris worked in vineyards across Western Australia before relocating to Marlborough in 2003. As luck would have it, his first day in New Zealand saw him taste a glass of Matua Sauvignon Blanc and he was hooked. The rest, as they say, is history.
Completing his first vintage as a winemaker with Matua that year, Chris recalls marvelling at the amount of flavour in each wine, and was intrigued by the contrast in styles being created. To this day, showcasing the unique terroir and flavours of New Zealand are what continue to drive Chris in his work, with a focus on producing quality wines that are true to their origin and crafted with minimal intervention.
From a varietal perspective, Chris enjoys exploring the complexities of Pinot Noir, but still relishes Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc – even more so when enjoyed in the sunshine, accompanied by an oyster or two!
Alongside Matua’s strong heritage, it’s the people Chris works alongside who inspire him. A family of colleagues who work collaboratively to create , innovate and take New Zealand wines to the world.