Waipara Hills Wine Estate has appointed Fiona Turner as its winemaker for the company's recently-opened winery in Marlborough .

Fiona has an extensive 10-year background in the wine industry, working with vintners, wineries and in sales in Napa, California and London as well as in Hawke's Bay and Marlborough .

Since early 2002 she has been a consultant winemaker and winery manager for Kiwi-Oeno, operating closely with wine companies such as Mudhouse, Riversleigh and Saint Clair.

Last year Fiona was made managing director of South Pacific Cellars, a joint venture between Waipara Hills Wine Estate, Lake Chalice Wines and NZ Vineyard Estates, based in Blenheim.

Her new role as winemaker for Waipara Hills reflects continued volume growth for the company and the need for strong relationships with contract growers in the Marlborough region.

Internationally acclaimed winemaker Alan McCorkindale will continue in his consulting role with the company.

Waipara Hills, winner of numerous wine awards and accolades in its three-year existence, has lifted total production from 88 tonnes in 2001 to 600 tonnes this year.

Marlborough growers currently supply two-thirds of this, the rest coming from selected contract vineyards in Waipara and Canterbury.

CAPTION: Fiona Turner

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For more information:

Lew Stribling, CEO,

Waipara Hills Wine Estate Limited
Ph: 03 344 5052

Mobile : 027 222 8893