About
About
Our
Mission
Our mission is to harness Marlborough’s intense fruit flavours, while producing elegant wines with purity and a sense of place. Our grapes are grown on the clay soils of our high density planted, Brookby Hill Vineyard in the Southern Valleys sub region of Marlborough – Together with several key sites across Marlborough’s two main valleys. After embarking on BioGro NZ organic conversion in 2020, no synthetic chemical fertilisers, pesticides or herbicides are used at Brookby Hill Vineyard.
Winemaking techniques include natural fermentation, aging in concrete egg tanks, large oak cuves, an assortment of French oak barrels and clay amphoras, as well as bottling wine unfined and unfiltered to retain complexity and texture.
Our
Mission
Our mission is to harness Marlborough’s intense fruit flavours, while producing elegant wines with purity and a sense of place. Our grapes are grown on the clay soils of our high density planted, Brookby Hill Vineyard in the Southern Valleys sub region of Marlborough – Together with several key sites across Marlborough’s two main valleys. After embarking on BioGro NZ organic conversion in 2020, no synthetic chemical fertilisers, pesticides or herbicides are used at Brookby Hill Vineyard.
Winemaking techniques include natural fermentation, aging in concrete egg tanks, large oak cuves, an assortment of French oak barrels and clay amphoras, as well as bottling wine unfined and unfiltered to retain complexity and texture.
The Driving Force
Growing up in Marlborough, David Clouston spent his youth in the Wairau and Awatere river valleys, where his family have farmed for five generations. Energetic and talented, his experience – hard-earned over 25 vintages worldwide – is the driving force behind Two Rivers.
After immersing himself in the sights, flavours and aromas of countries as diverse as the USA, Chile, Spain, France and Corsica, Dave’s desire to create inspiring wine on the home turf was realised and Two Rivers wines were born. “Thanks for joining us on the journey”
The Driving Force
Growing up in Marlborough, David Clouston spent his youth in the Wairau and Awatere river valleys, where his family have farmed for five generations. Energetic and talented, his experience – hard-earned over 25 vintages worldwide – is the driving force behind Two Rivers.
After immersing himself in the sights, flavours and aromas of countries as diverse as the USA, Chile, Spain, France and Corsica, Dave’s desire to create inspiring wine on the home turf was realised and Two Rivers wines were born. “Thanks for joining us on the journey”
Our Team
Pip Clouston
Co-owner
Pip was born in Marlborough, educated in Christchurch and then studied law at the University of Otago. After years of travelling and working abroad, Pip returned to Marlborough in 2008. She loves spending time in the Marlborough Sounds, enjoys skiing, yoga and sampling her husband’s Rosé.
Toby Morris
Cellar Operations Manager
Toby grew up in Marlborough and observed his family farm change from sheep and beef to vineyards. He went on to study winemaking at EIT and after 13 vintages, Toby enjoys being hands on in the winery. He has a love for the outdoors – hunting, fishing and matching wild foods with good red wines!
Sanna Stander
Production Winemaker
Born, raised and educated in Stellenbosch, South Africa, Sanna gained winemaking experience in South Africa and France before coming to New Zealand in 2004. She loves spending time with her two young children, enjoys cooking, art, and her favourite wines are chardonnay and cabernet franc.
Rachael Pauw
Financial Controller
Originally from Auckland, Rachael came to the team in 2016, armed with five years of logistics experience from Wine Works Marlborough. After mastering logistics and exports for Two Rivers, she has settled in well to her new roll as Financial Controller. Rachael loves a good pinotage.
Naomi Galvin
Marketing Manager
Growing up in Wellington, Naomi came to Marlborough to discover wine and went on to work vintages in New Zealand, Australia and France. After immersing herself in all things wine, she studied marketing. Naomi enjoys getting out in nature, planting native trees and is into white blends at the moment.
Harriet Wadworth
Events Manager & Brand Ambassador
Born and bred Marlburian, Harriet joined the Two Rivers team at the beginning of 2020. Harriet loves getting out and about exploring what Marlborough has to offer, whether it be by foot, car or boat. Her favourite wine would have to be a pinot noir in front of the fire with some of our amazing local produce!
Rachel Tau’alupe
Logistics & Production Manager
With a background in contract wine logistics and production, Rachel is a Marlborough local and loves promoting the region alongside her other passion as a Marriage Celebrant. If she’s not spending time with her young family, Rach can be found enjoying a glass of riesling with friends in the sun.
Kaitlyn Smid
Assistant Winemaker
From Ontario, Canada, Kaitlyn fall into wine on accident. Having studied Classical Archaeology at the University of Toronto, she came to NZ on a working holiday visa in 2016 and discovered a passion for wine. Kaitlyn loves travelling, a good book and her favourite wine is a Chablis.
01
Wairau Valley
Vineyards
This pioneering winegrowing valley of Marlborough, has exceptional stony vineyard sites for white wines, showing great vibrancy and pure fruit intensity.
Soil
Ancient alluvial with deep, free-draining stony soils.
Climate
Largely regulated by the Wairau River, this valley is warm and sunny with many early-ripening sites.
| Vineyards | Varietal | Vine Age | |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Collyns | Sauvignon Blanc | 10 years |
2 | Jones | Sauvignon Blanc | 12 years |
3 | Macfarlane | Sauvignon Blanc Chardonnay | 30 years 25 years |
02
Southern Valleys
Vineyards
Made up of the Omaka, Fairhall, Brancott, Ben Morvan and Waihopai Valleys this important sub-region has complex soils which add depth and structure to wines, especially Pinot Noir.
Soil
The hill slope soils of the Southern Valleys tend to be heavier than that of the Wairau Valley. They are richer in clay and more complex.
Climate
Cold air descends from the nearby Wither Hills creating a cooler, later ripening climate than that of the Wairau Valley. These valleys see less rainfall than the northern side of the Wairau plain.
| Vineyards | Varietal | Vine Age | |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Pouwhare | Sauvignon Blanc | 10 years |
2 | Dew | Sauvignon Blanc Pinot Noir | 10 years 8 years |
3 | Brookby Hill | Pinot Noir | 10 years |
03
Awatere Valley
Vineyards
Situated farthest south and with the highest altitude, this most recently developed valley has typically low yielding sites, producing bright, aromatic Pinot Noir and dramatic, distinctive Sauvignon Blanc.
Soil
Diverse soils from river terraces and flood plains with alluvial gravels, clay and windblown loess.
Climate
Stretching inland from the sea, with higher altitudes, the Awatere Valley is cooler, drier and windier than the other Marlborough valleys.
| Vineyards | Varietal | Vine Age | |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Jones (Terrace) Altitude - 75m | Sauvignon Blanc | 12 years |
2 | Richmond Brook Altitude - 100m | Sauvignon Blanc | 12 years |
3 | Jones (Long Lane) Altitude - 50m | Sauvignon Blanc | 16 years |
01
Wairau Valley
Vineyards
This pioneering winegrowing valley of Marlborough, has exceptional stony vineyard sites for white wines, showing great vibrancy and pure fruit intensity.
Soil
Ancient alluvial with deep, free-draining stony soils.
Climate
Largely regulated by the Wairau River, this valley is warm and sunny with many early-ripening sites.
02
Southern Valleys
Vineyards
Made up of the Omaka, Fairhall, Brancott, Ben Morvan and Waihopai Valleys this important sub-region has complex soils which add depth and structure to wines, especially Pinot Noir.
Soil
The hill slope soils of the Southern Valleys tend to be heavier than that of the Wairau Valley. They are richer in clay and more complex.
Climate
Cold air descends from the nearby Wither Hills creating a cooler, later ripening climate than that of the Wairau Valley. These valleys see less rainfall than the northern side of the Wairau plain.
03
Awatere Valley
Vineyards
Situated farthest south and with the highest altitude, this most recently developed valley has typically low yielding sites, producing bright, aromatic Pinot Noir and dramatic, distinctive Sauvignon Blanc.
Soil
Diverse soils from river terraces and flood plains with alluvial gravels, clay and windblown loess.
Climate
Stretching inland from the sea, with higher altitudes, the Awatere Valley is cooler, drier and windier than the other Marlborough valleys.