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Meet the Committee
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
AMY HOPKINSON-STYLES
Conference committee
Amy studied a BA in Political Science, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Viticulture and Oenology. After a formative vintage in Te Matau a Māui / Hawke's Bay, she headed for Europe to take up a three-month vintage winemaking job in Spain. She ended up staying there for nine years. While based in Spain Amy also worked in New Zealand, Australia and Italy. In 2012 Amy and her Husband Olly moved to Te Matau a Māui / Hawke's Bay where they have their own brand Halcyon Days, making handmade, certified organic wines with no additions. Amy has judged at the Decanter World Wine Awards and IWC in London. She is currently completing her research project in order to obtain the Master of Wine qualification, having already passed the theory and practical exams.
Amy studied a BA in Political Science, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Viticulture and Oenology. After a formative vintage in Te Matau a Māui / Hawke's Bay, she headed for Europe to take up a three-month vintage winemaking job in Spain. She ended up staying there for nine years. While based in Spain Amy also worked in New Zealand, Australia and Italy. In 2012 Amy and her Husband Olly moved to Te Matau a Māui / Hawke's Bay where they have their own brand Halcyon Days, making handmade, certified organic wines with no additions. Amy has judged at the Decanter World Wine Awards and IWC in London. She is currently completing her research project in order to obtain the Master of Wine qualification, having already passed the theory and practical exams.
DAVID SHEARD
Conference committee
David grew up in Hawke’s Bay, surrounded by vineyards and wineries that fascinated him from a young age. His love for the wine industry developed further during school holidays that were spent in the family vineyards of school friends earning extra pocket money, and from there it was a natural progression to studying a Bachelor of Viticulture and Diploma in Winemaking at EIT and Charles Sturt University, respectively. David is now the Viticulture Manager at Yealands.
David grew up in Hawke’s Bay, surrounded by vineyards and wineries that fascinated him from a young age. His love for the wine industry developed further during school holidays that were spent in the family vineyards of school friends earning extra pocket money, and from there it was a natural progression to studying a Bachelor of Viticulture and Diploma in Winemaking at EIT and Charles Sturt University, respectively. David is now the Viticulture Manager at Yealands.
ANIKA WILLNER
Conference committee
Anika Willner, a Lincoln and Ohio State University graduate, has gained experience working in Oregon, California, Burgundy, Australia, Germany, South Africa, and New Zealand. She joined Coal Pit Winery as Winemaker in 2018 and has been a driving force in their transition to organic and regenerative viticulture. When she’s not in the vineyard or the winery, Anika spends her time trail running in the backcountry foothills that surround her home in the warmer months and skiing in the winter.
Anika Willner, a Lincoln and Ohio State University graduate, has gained experience working in Oregon, California, Burgundy, Australia, Germany, South Africa, and New Zealand. She joined Coal Pit Winery as Winemaker in 2018 and has been a driving force in their transition to organic and regenerative viticulture. When she’s not in the vineyard or the winery, Anika spends her time trail running in the backcountry foothills that surround her home in the warmer months and skiing in the winter.
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.
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