EASTHOPE

WINEGROWERS

OUR BACKGROUND

EMMA EASTHOPE

Emma spent many school holidays working in family vineyards in Hawkes Bay. Despite the long hours and sometimes bitter weather, it was clear to Emma at an early age that a relationship with the vine would be a lifelong one. With a view to becoming a winemaker, Emma gained a Bachelor of Food Technology from Massey University. From there Emma realised that the industrial approach was not her style and she sought a position where there could be hands on contact with vines, wines and sales. This was realised with a position at Stonyridge on Waiheke Island, where the iconic wine "Larose" is grown and made. Stonyridge's approach satisfied Emma's perfectionist instinct. Indeed Emma is happiest when in the vineyard coaxing each bunch, shoot and leaf to the correct position in the canopy, or scrubbing equipment in the cellar - as she knows; it is this detail that separates the good from the great.

Old World insights were added to New World experience via positions in Malta, France and South Africa. During this time a Certificate in Wine Marketing was gained from the University of South Australia to round off a formidable resume encompassing viticulture, winemaking and marketing.

Juggling motherhood with the rigours of running a small winegrowing business is demanding - but it satisfies two of Emma's lifelong dreams.



ROD EASTHOPE

Like Emma, Rod spent much of his childhood working on vineyards in the Dartmoor Valley of Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. Inevitable contact with winemakers led to a fascination with wine. At the time Roseworthy College in South Australia was the leading institution for oenology and viticulture, thus a degree in wine science was gained which opened the doors to tenures in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Italy and France. These experiences brought Rod into contact with people who had a profound effect on the winegrower that he is today; viticulturally, Peter Dry, Steve Smith MW and Phil Freese were the guiding lights; in the cellar, Matt Thomson, Kym Milne MW and John Belsham all had their influence.

However, it was visiting the world's greatest vineyards and tasting their wines that really altered Rod's view of the vinous world. Much of the credit for these experiences is owed to Alex Dale and Michael Fridjhon in South Africa - whose cerebral and liquid generosity unwittingly turned Rod from a technically minded winemaker into an intuitive, purist winegrower.