About Us

Claire and Mike arrived in Marlborough in 1990 and started Huia in 1996.

“We were completely blown away by the region. It seemed to have the brightest sunshine, the most intensely flavoured wines, be stunningly beautiful and have an endless supply of the freshest produce."

Those early years were spent gaining valuable experience in Marlborough wineries. Mike at Cloudy Bay and Vavasour whilst Claire was at Corbans and Lawson’s Dry Hills. They also did a vintage in Champagne at Veuve Cliquot and Taittinger respectively.

These early years gave them a great grounding in making bright New World wines, but also an appreciation of land, heritage and tradition from the Old World.  

Those early years also saw the purchase of our wonderful Home block in Rapaura.  It took several years for it to be cleared, build our house and get the first vines planted.  At the same time our two gorgeous daughters – Tui and Sophie - arrived and have since played a full part in the journey (and the workforce!).

Since Huia started there has been an ever increasing emphasis on environmental sustainability, organics and biodynamics.

"The further we go down this track the more evident it is that healthy, clean vineyards are great places to live and work. They produce more characterful wines and every year they just seem to get better!"