In 1978 Phil and Chris Rose bravely began hand-planting vines in Rapaura whilst raising their family of five young children.

After contract growing grapes for some years, they made a bold decision to produce their own wine, and in 1991 and the award-winning Wairau River label was born. That first vineyard, Home Block, has over time been joined  by another 13 vineyards, which together make up the Rose Family Estate. 

Growing up on a vineyard certainly rubbed off on the Rose children. All of them, and even some of their partners, work in the family business - either at the winery, restaurant, or they growing grapes for the Rose Family Estate.

John Rose arrived in New Zealand in 1858 and set up his farm in Rapaura, Springcreek. The farm was passed through the generations and was divided up amongst John’s children and also expanded across Rapaura. When Chris and Phil started farming, they were growing lucerne for export. With global factors squeezing their existing farming operations, they made a good decision — to plant grapevines on the free-draining, open plains of the lower Wairau Valley.

Chris and Phil Rose are generational farmers in the Rapaura region. They were instrumental in getting permission to start vineyards in the Rapaura area. Planting vines in this region was not permitted and many of the local residents and farmers couldn’t imagine viticulture benefiting Marlborough. It was a protracted legal battle, against some major objections around land use, but after a long and protracted legal battle with council, they were finally given consent and began their vines in 1978.

Today Wairau River is one of New Zealand’s most highly regarded wine producers, exporting to customers all over the world. We have grown from the initial Homeblock vineyard to 13 vineyards throughout the valley.

Wairau River is one of the few remaining family-owned wineries in the region. The next generation of the Rose family is now running the operation, together with their partners. 

Hamish has an affinity for the land and a love of the outdoors. He is the Rose Family Estate viticulturist and manages all the vineyards throughout the seasons. Kristy, Hamish’s partner manages the HR and other aspects of the family business. 

Sam our chief winemaker has the smell and love of wine running in his veins, having spent his formative years with his parents amongst the vines while they established their vineyard. 
Wairau River Restaurant, one of the region’s oldest and most iconic wineries is managed by the eldest daughter, Pip. Youngest, Caroline and her partner Tane, are the head chefs and are responsible for the exceptional food at the restaurant. 

Lindsay, or Parky as he is commonly known is Pip’s husband and the Rose Family Estate CEO. 

Anna and her husband Paul grow Sauvignon Blanc grapes for Rose Family Estate at their beautiful Grovetown vineyard.

Few would have predicted Marlborough’s rapid ascent to become one of New Zealand’s preeminent – and internationally renowned – wine-growing regions. From August 2023 the region’s winemakers and growers are celebrating 50 years of Marlborough’s official beginning as a wine region, and inviting the country to re-discover the depth of Marlborough wine.

Discover the history of our region’s wine brands and explore stories about our people and place that make it special here. https://www.marlboroughwinenz.com/2023

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