In 1996, Peter and Jane set out bravely on their new career journey by buying 50 acres of land at the confluence of the Awatere and Blackbirch rivers in the Awatere Valley, Marlborough. As a retired army officer and a registered nurse they did not have much knowledge of growing grapes, but had a desire to work for themselves, grow something and be self sufficient.

With expert help to get them started Peter and Jane had to learn everything.

Ten years on, and with seven harvests behind them, vineyard life is much less daunting and a lot more enjoyable, despite the hard work and sometimes very long days. In the beginning, while still contracting to the army, Peter would sometimes spend up to a week away while Jane would quite often be working diligently with the new vines, alone. Nowadays they both enjoy a delightful glass of wine on the veranda on a hot summer's day while the next generation take over with the vineyard responsibilities.

Peter and Jane's son, Simon, attended Lincoln University and gained a Batchelor of Viticulture and Oenology, and now runs the business as a sustainable vineyard with help from the rest of the family. His dedication and commitment to continually produce top quality fruit are the essence of the final product, the wine. Simon and his wife Donna live in Blenheim, 40 km from the vineyard, where she also works in the wine industry.

The family team was strengthened by Peter and Jane's daughter Sarah, who - after spending nearly a decade in the airline industry - recently joined them, both out in the vineyard and in the office assisting with the sales and marketing.

Peter and Jane's second daughter, Jennifer, lives nearby with husband Craig and often spends a day with a pair of snips in hand helping out while their two sons, William and Abraham, are close by - usually supervised by Granny!