THE AMW EXECUTIVE BOARD

Sophie Parker-Thomson MW

Blank Canvas Wines - Chair

Sophie is the general manager and co-owner of Blank Canvas, which is founded on the premise of producing small-batch fine wines from exceptional single vineyard sites. Blank Canvas is proud to be a founding member of Appellation Marlborough Wine.

Sophie is Marlborough’s resident Master of Wine and is currently the only South Island-based MW having been awarded this prestigious qualification in February 2021. She originally trained as a lawyer but has lived and breathed wine her entire life through her family's winery and hospitality businesses in both Gisborne and Central Otago. She has lived in Marlborough for the past 11 years with her winemaker husband Matt Thomson and daughter Isabella.

Sophie is a staunch advocate of the inherent quality of Marlborough wines and is constantly looking for ways to promote and tell the stories of the quality-driven producers of the region. She is deeply committed to protecting and promoting the integrity, reputation and provenance of Marlborough wine globally, seeing the development of AMW as a fundamental step in Marlborough’s evolution as a world-class wine growing region. 

Simon Barker

Barkers Marque Wines - Deputy Chair

Simon Barker, of Barkers Marque Wines, is founder, owner, grape grower, winemaker and general dogsbody for this young wine company, which has grown to fifty thousand twelve pack cases in a little over 10 years. Coming to winemaking relatively late in life, in his early thirties, Simon genuinely followed his passion and, after studying and travelling the world winemaking for several years, landed in Marlborough in 2002 and simply never left. Simon’s philosophy is simple – spend as much time as possible in the vineyard, apply the right blend of art and science and, above all, work hard.



“AMW’s core values align so completely with ours that it would have been ridiculous for us not to get involved. I feel very privileged to serve on the board.”

Ivan Sutherland

Dog Point Vineyards - Board Member

Ivan is one of the early private pioneers of the Marlborough viticulture industry, and along with his wife Margaret, have established their own vineyards on select sites in the Wairau and Southern Valleys. Having long planned to set up a small quality-focused label, Dog Point was set up in 2004 with good friends James and Wendy Healy, using fruit from their own organic vineyards. Dog Point continues to occupy most of Ivan’s time as the family business adopted a very ’hands-on’ attitude for growing, winemaking and marketing its wine.

Ivan, along with John Forrest and John Buchanan was instrumental in the formation of Appellation Marlborough Wine. Ivan's primary ambition for AMW was “to protect the authenticity, integrity and reputation of an internationally recognised wine region and in particular an iconic wine that many producers have worked hard to build”.

Jim White

Cloudy Bay Vineyards - Board Member

Jim White is the Technical and Sustainable Development Director at Cloudy Bay Vineyards. A Melbourne native, Jim's career in viticulture began in 1997 with vineyard management positions in the Yarra Valley, followed by Margaret River. He moved to New Zealand in 2010, where he joined the team at Cloudy Bay as Viticulturist.

Today Jim’s role encompasses vineyard and winery supply and technical matters, plus a broad range of responsibilities including sustainability and CSR programs. Jim has extensive international market experience having represented Cloudy Bay in the USA,  Asia and Europe. Jim is a board member of New Zealand Winegrowers and a trustee of the Village to Village Charitable Trust.

“AMW is comprised of like-minded produces who hold themself to higher standards for the betterment of our industry. It celebrates the flavours and complexity achievable in Marlborough wine when respect is given to site and soil."

Rich Ellis

The Marlborist - Board Member

Richard’s passion for the art of winemaking started at an early age, with a school holiday vintage experience at Ata Rangi, one of New Zealand's great pinot noir producers. Sparking a career that has spanned nearly 20 years and has taken him around the world both making and selling wine, his most recent appointment was a 7-year-stint as winemaker for Greywacke in Marlborough, working alongside sauvignon blanc pioneer, Kevin Judd. Today he leads the winemaking program and is general manager for The Marlborist, a company he co-founded with good friends Stuart Dudley & David Nash.



Richard joined AMW to provide a voice for the next generation of Marlborough producers and to ensure that decisions made now will benefit the region well into the future.

Clive Jones

Nautilus Estate - Board Member

Clive Jones joined Nautilus Estate as Winemaker in August 1998. After completing the 2021 season, he became a 30-vintage veteran of the Marlborough wine industry. Clive originally trained as an industrial chemist before being drawn to the wine industry as a passionate wine consumer. He is an active member of the greater New Zealand wine industry and has served previously as Chair of both Marlborough Winegrowers and New Zealand Winegrowers.

Provenance and authenticity are becoming more and more important to the consumer. The goals and aspirations of Appellation Marlborough Wine, along with the strong collective message by the wine companies involved, gives consumers this assurance when they choose an AMW certified Marlborough wine. "It has been a privilege to be part of the establishment of AMW and help to shape a pathway for Marlborough wine into the future."

Daniel Adriatico

Spy Valley Wines - Board Member

Daniel is Head of Sales & Supply Chain at Spy Valley Wines and a proactive member of the New Zealand wine industry. 

Having lived and worked around the world, Daniel came to Christchurch in the 2012 where he completed his MBA at the University of Canterbury. Daniel shifted into the wine following a diverse career which included jewellery, business consultancy and the arts. He has developed a strong reputation for managing complex international supply chains and driving global sales strategies. At Spy, Daniel oversees distribution and operations, connecting their premium sustainably crafted wines with world markets.

"Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc shook the world when it emerged out of a unique blend of young fertile soils, endless sun, and cool nights. There was also a Marlborough way to craft it - and that grew into a collaborative culture of striving to be amongst the world's best at doing it. AMW was created to protect that. It's a trust mark giving wine lovers an assurance of quality as well as authenticity tracing back to this treasured terroir."

Stephanie McIntyre

Appellation Marlborough Wine - Chief Executive Officer

Stephanie is a respected wine industry leader, certified sommelier and marketing strategist.

Her expertise spans senior winery marketing roles, international market engagement, media and communications leadership, event creation and executive officer positions. An advocate for industry mentorship, fine wine and environmental stewardship, Stephanie has spent the past 12 years working predominately with member-led organisations to help drive growth and awareness. Her two decades of Marlborough based experience, has seen her play a pivotal role in championing the region's diverse wine styles and sustainable practices.

"Marlborough is a truly unique place to grow wine and like all precious things it needs to be protected. We make something special here - and it's a privilege to steward an organisation that's devoted to celebrating extraordinary wine and safeguarding the integrity of its region."