top of page
meet the exec.
Bart Arnst
OWNZ Executive & Conference committee co-chair
Bart Arnst began his vineyard journey in Canterbury before relocating to Marlborough to manage vineyards for Montana Wines. Around 1996 he began experimenting with organic techniques, and after significant successful outcomes he joined the Seresin Estate team to lead their vineyards through organic conversion. In 2005 Bart ventured out on his own, providing viticultural consultancy, which he continues to do for growers and wineries throughout New Zealand. In 2007 he teamed up with Chris Darling to produce a range of certified organic wines under the label The Darling. Bart is a founding member of OWNZ and remains an active member of the organisation’s executive board.
Bart Arnst began his vineyard journey in Canterbury before relocating to Marlborough to manage vineyards for Montana Wines. Around 1996 he began experimenting with organic techniques, and after significant successful outcomes he joined the Seresin Estate team to lead their vineyards through organic conversion. In 2005 Bart ventured out on his own, providing viticultural consultancy, which he continues to do for growers and wineries throughout New Zealand. In 2007 he teamed up with Chris Darling to produce a range of certified organic wines under the label The Darling. Bart is a founding member of OWNZ and remains an active member of the organisation’s executive board.
Helen Morrison
OWNZ Treasurer & Conference committee
Originally from Nelson, Helen gained a Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology at Lincoln University. Her first job after qualifying was at Forrest Estate in Marlborough, which provided the invaluable experience of being hands-on wherever she was needed across the business. Helen then took on a winemaker role at Indevin, which gave her experience with client winemaking before becoming Senior Winemaker at Villa Maria. There she enjoyed being back in a family-owned business, with all the passion and quality expectations that that bought, and with the added benefit of largescale efficiencies. Helen has just joined Booster Wine Group as Chief Winemaker. Booster Wine is part of a KiwiSaver fund and encompasses several brands, including Awatere River, Sileni, Waimea, and Bannock Brae as well as the BioGro-accredited organic Gravity winery.
Originally from Nelson, Helen gained a Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology at Lincoln University. Her first job after qualifying was at Forrest Estate in Marlborough, which provided the invaluable experience of being hands-on wherever she was needed across the business. Helen then took on a winemaker role at Indevin, which gave her experience with client winemaking before becoming Senior Winemaker at Villa Maria. There she enjoyed being back in a family-owned business, with all the passion and quality expectations that that bought, and with the added benefit of largescale efficiencies. Helen has just joined Booster Wine Group as Chief Winemaker. Booster Wine is part of a KiwiSaver fund and encompasses several brands, including Awatere River, Sileni, Waimea, and Bannock Brae as well as the BioGro-accredited organic Gravity winery.
James Millton
OWNZ Executive
James Millton is an Artisan Winegrower who has worked with wine since 1976 having
learnt his craft from the masters in the old world.
In 1984 he helped established The Millton Vineyards and Winery in Gisborne, New Zealand. In 1986 he was instrumental in writing the Bio-Gro certified organic wine standards for
winegrowing in New Zealand. He farms one of the 10 oldest biodynamic wine estates in the
world and in 2009 obtained the Demeter certification. He is a founding member of the
international group Renaissances des Appellations, a French inspired group of biodynamic
winegrowers. In 2012 James was invested as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in
the 2012 Queen’s Birthday Honours for Services to organic winegrowing and in 2019 James was made a Fellow of the New Zealand Wine Institute.
James is an inspirational figure for many in the organic and biodynamic wine world. His Dry
Farmed vineyards, his Estate Bottled wines and his personal example have given many other
growers the motivation to move to organic or biodynamic activities on their land and to
commence work with their head, heart and hands.
Before a wine can be great, it must first be true.
James Millton
Artisan Winegrower.
James Millton is an Artisan Winegrower who has worked with wine since 1976 having
learnt his craft from the masters in the old world.
In 1984 he helped established The Millton Vineyards and Winery in Gisborne, New Zealand. In 1986 he was instrumental in writing the Bio-Gro certified organic wine standards for
winegrowing in New Zealand. He farms one of the 10 oldest biodynamic wine estates in the
world and in 2009 obtained the Demeter certification. He is a founding member of the
international group Renaissances des Appellations, a French inspired group of biodynamic
winegrowers. In 2012 James was invested as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in
the 2012 Queen’s Birthday Honours for Services to organic winegrowing and in 2019 James was made a Fellow of the New Zealand Wine Institute.
James is an inspirational figure for many in the organic and biodynamic wine world. His Dry
Farmed vineyards, his Estate Bottled wines and his personal example have given many other
growers the motivation to move to organic or biodynamic activities on their land and to
commence work with their head, heart and hands.
Before a wine can be great, it must first be true.
James Millton
Artisan Winegrower.
Erica Crawford
OWNZ Executive & Conference committee
Erica is a veteran of the New Zealand Wine industry. She co-founded Kim Crawford Wines in 1996, introducing a groundbreaking business model (virtual winery) and selling the brand in an extraordinary sale that did not include any land or bricks and mortar. Loveblock represents her deeply personal journey to organics and living values. Making a 180 degree turn in approach, the Crawford family now owns all the vineyard land that supplies the Loveblock brand, with a deep focus organic farming and sustainability. She describes this experience as both “humbling and a steep learning curve”, propelling her to complete a degree in viticulture from EIT. Erica has been a member of NZ Winegrowers Marketing Committee and overseas marketing in her role on the OWNZ executive. She holds a number of directorships, both in the wine industry and in other sectors.
Erica is a veteran of the New Zealand Wine industry. She co-founded Kim Crawford Wines in 1996, introducing a groundbreaking business model (virtual winery) and selling the brand in an extraordinary sale that did not include any land or bricks and mortar. Loveblock represents her deeply personal journey to organics and living values. Making a 180 degree turn in approach, the Crawford family now owns all the vineyard land that supplies the Loveblock brand, with a deep focus organic farming and sustainability. She describes this experience as both “humbling and a steep learning curve”, propelling her to complete a degree in viticulture from EIT. Erica has been a member of NZ Winegrowers Marketing Committee and overseas marketing in her role on the OWNZ executive. She holds a number of directorships, both in the wine industry and in other sectors.
Mike Saunders
OWNZ Executive & Conference committee
Mike Saunders started his career as a winegrower in the cellar, completing vintages for Esk Valley Estate in Hawkes Bay and Mount Pleasant in the Hunter Valley, Australia. He returned to help run the iconic Esk Valley Terraces Vineyard, eventually taking over management of the block. Combining this with the grower liaison role for Villa Maria broadened his exposure to many different viticultural growing systems while being supported by the fantastic viticultural team there. Moving to Neudorf in Nelson as Company Viticulturist gave a totally different exposure to the region and also scale. Growing the Moutere Chardonnay was a huge privilege and a massive learning curve. The draw of returning home to Canterbury and eventually earning the role of Company Viticulturist for North Canterbury’s Greystone and Muddy Water Wines has been another amazing opportunity. Mike also enjoys his roles with the Young Viticulturist Competition, OWNZ and North Canterbury Winegrowers.
Mike Saunders started his career as a winegrower in the cellar, completing vintages for Esk Valley Estate in Hawkes Bay and Mount Pleasant in the Hunter Valley, Australia. He returned to help run the iconic Esk Valley Terraces Vineyard, eventually taking over management of the block. Combining this with the grower liaison role for Villa Maria broadened his exposure to many different viticultural growing systems while being supported by the fantastic viticultural team there. Moving to Neudorf in Nelson as Company Viticulturist gave a totally different exposure to the region and also scale. Growing the Moutere Chardonnay was a huge privilege and a massive learning curve. The draw of returning home to Canterbury and eventually earning the role of Company Viticulturist for North Canterbury’s Greystone and Muddy Water Wines has been another amazing opportunity. Mike also enjoys his roles with the Young Viticulturist Competition, OWNZ and North Canterbury Winegrowers.
Nick Paulin
OWNZ Executive
My journey to viticulture started with a family history of farming and horticulture in Central Otago, my Great-Grandfather started an orchard in Clyde that is still a family business today, growing up I
had a strong desire to live and work in Central Otago both for the family connection and the
fabulous lifestyle here.
After graduating Lincoln in 2004, I was lucky to land a role at Felton Road which started my journey
with organic and biodynamic viticulture. From Felton Road I went on the be the viticulturist at Peregrine Wines for 7 years. Over that time I have developed a passion for organic and biodynamic farming and continue to learn constantly from each season and the challenges each year throws at us. My current role is national viticulturist for AONZ Fine Wine Estates, overseeing the vineyard
activities across Hawkes Bay, North Canterbury and Central Otago. It is a role that has a significant
amount of challenge and reward, working across three very diverse regions. It gives me a broad range of experience to contribute to the organic winegrowers committee for the past 6 years .
What is the core ambition of organic wine in the context of the NZ wine industry?
My ambition is for organics to be the norm in which the majority of the industry can farm free from synthetic products and return the land to the next generations in a better state than we took it on from our predecessors.
My journey to viticulture started with a family history of farming and horticulture in Central Otago, my Great-Grandfather started an orchard in Clyde that is still a family business today, growing up I
had a strong desire to live and work in Central Otago both for the family connection and the
fabulous lifestyle here.
After graduating Lincoln in 2004, I was lucky to land a role at Felton Road which started my journey
with organic and biodynamic viticulture. From Felton Road I went on the be the viticulturist at Peregrine Wines for 7 years. Over that time I have developed a passion for organic and biodynamic farming and continue to learn constantly from each season and the challenges each year throws at us. My current role is national viticulturist for AONZ Fine Wine Estates, overseeing the vineyard
activities across Hawkes Bay, North Canterbury and Central Otago. It is a role that has a significant
amount of challenge and reward, working across three very diverse regions. It gives me a broad range of experience to contribute to the organic winegrowers committee for the past 6 years .
What is the core ambition of organic wine in the context of the NZ wine industry?
My ambition is for organics to be the norm in which the majority of the industry can farm free from synthetic products and return the land to the next generations in a better state than we took it on from our predecessors.
Nick Pett
OWNZ Executive & Conference committee co-chair
Nick’s interest in organic winegrowing grew as he worked for several companies around the world who were converting or practicing organic grape growing and winemaking. His passion was further ignited and continues in his current role as winemaker at Seresin Estate, where he was worked since 2020. Nick has been part of the OWNZ executive team since 2021 and is the co-chair of the Organic & Biodynamic Winegrowing Conference committee.
Nick’s interest in organic winegrowing grew as he worked for several companies around the world who were converting or practicing organic grape growing and winemaking. His passion was further ignited and continues in his current role as winemaker at Seresin Estate, where he was worked since 2020. Nick has been part of the OWNZ executive team since 2021 and is the co-chair of the Organic & Biodynamic Winegrowing Conference committee.
Naomi Galvin
OWNZ NZ Marketing, Events & Administration
Naomi joined OWNZ in late 2020 to assist with marketing, events, and administration. Her role at has since expanded in response to the strong growth the organic sector is experiencing. Naomi originally completed a Diploma in Viticulture and Wine Production at NMIT and went on to work vintages in Marlborough, the Hunter Valley, and Puligny-Montrachet before settling into various marketing roles at several local wineries including Clos Henri, and most recently Two Rivers. Naomi has challenged the status quo and advocated for organics and biodiversity at all the wineries she has worked at over the years. She has been instrumental in putting together native planting projects on vineyards and is on the board as treasurer of Forest & Bird Marlborough.
Naomi joined OWNZ in late 2020 to assist with marketing, events, and administration. Her role at has since expanded in response to the strong growth the organic sector is experiencing. Naomi originally completed a Diploma in Viticulture and Wine Production at NMIT and went on to work vintages in Marlborough, the Hunter Valley, and Puligny-Montrachet before settling into various marketing roles at several local wineries including Clos Henri, and most recently Two Rivers. Naomi has challenged the status quo and advocated for organics and biodiversity at all the wineries she has worked at over the years. She has been instrumental in putting together native planting projects on vineyards and is on the board as treasurer of Forest & Bird Marlborough.
Photo courtesy of Seresin
bottom of page