Our Team
Mart Verstappen
Viticulturist
After immigrating to New Zealand from the Netherlands, Mart started his career in viticulture as Nursery Manager for Cloudy Bay Vineyards – this was in 1989 when phylloxera was attacking the Marlborough vineyards.
Mart went on into technical management positions for Riversun/Linnaeus and Corbans Viticulture, developing vineyards and offering technical advice in all the main grape growing areas around New Zealand.
At Pernod Ricard Winemakers his skills were honed by day-to-day vineyard management roles at the Triplebank and Stoneleigh vineyards.
The draw from there to Farmlands Co-op as Technical Lead in the viticulture sector was instigated by the belief in the importance of grower/farmer shareholders and the need to build collaborative relationships to advance performance and innovation.
The subsequent move to Marlborough Grape Growers Cooperative was a natural progression to working more directly with the region’s growers.
Even in the weekend Mart likes to be growing things, with Mart and wife Chris sharing their enjoyment of their garden with family and friends.
Drew Ellis
Chief Winemaker
Drew’s life is immersed in wine. Though his training in Oregon was in Fine Arts, his skills were soon turned to the wine industry.
While he and his father planned and planted Bellvale Wines in South Gippsland (Victoria), Drew studied Viticulture and Oenology from the University of Wagga Wagga, graduating in 2002.
After a move to Marlborough he worked in Viticulture and Production Winemaking before joining what was to become the Marlborough Grape Growers Cooperative in 2007.
Drew has a deep-rooted understanding of the soils and grapes of our individual vineyard blocks. Twenty years here has honed his craft and with this understanding has come a plethora of awards and accolades.
When not making wine, Drew can be found on the golf course or at horse shows with his wife Lisa.
Amy Carter
Administration Manager
A proud administration professional, Amy brings a positive and enthusiastic approach to her role within the MGGC team.
Amy has vast experience supporting executive professionals and teams to achieve success within their organisations.
Amy has a passion for the wine industry and is proud to be part of a team helping Marlborough grape growers thrive.
Amy enjoys all the wonderful things Marlborough life has to offer, living locally with her two children and husband Aaron.
Lisa Strong
Finance Manager
A true accounting star, Lisa is also a proud member of the MGGC grower community.
Along with partner Grant, Lisa owns 4.5ha in the Lower Wairau and can see from all perspectives the best way to support MGGC owner prosperity, sustainability and a positive future focus.
Lisa plays a huge part in supporting the MGGC team in all their individual roles, providing advice to the Board and reporting on the financials. Lisa keeps us on a steady course.
Lisa is the proud mum of four and even prouder Grandma to her three very special grandchildren.
Kathy Cooney
Production Winemaker
The spark of an idea at high school smouldered away while Kathy initially studied Biochemistry and German at the University of Canterbury.
That spark ignited when she crossed the ditch to follow her dream to study winemaking at the University of Adelaide. Eighteen months later, armed with a Master in Oenology, she headed back to New Zealand to work her first harvest in Central Otago where she settled once and for all that this was the industry for her.
A permanent job opportunity at Villa Maria in Marlborough began a love for the region and its wines. Fast forward through five harvests there followed by twelve at one of Marlborough’s largest contract winemaking facilities and no two have been the same.
Having worked with the co-op as a client, Kathy was excited by the chance to join the team and be part of continuing to craft wines that showcase the best their vineyards have to offer.
Kathy fills her spare time outside of the industry exploring the region with her pampered pup Wiley, sewing, tramping with friends, and playing squash.
Michelle Burns
Marketing Manager
Michelle is Marlborough born and bred, with over 15 years of marketing experience shaped by Australasia's growers, vineyards, and craft.
As Marketing Manager at Allan Scott Family Winemakers, she led brand and trade strategy across domestic and global markets. She's co-chaired Méthode Marlborough, served on the marketing committee for Sauvignon 2019, and served as Growth Manager at Borough Wine. The valleys, the families, and the work behind the wine are territory she knows intimately.
Before that, she spent time at Bayer CropScience in Melbourne as Product Manager for the viticulture portfolio across Australia, working directly with grape growers and understanding the land from the ground up, not just the glass up.
More recently she led marketing at CMT Group in Blenheim, steering a major rebrand through a period of significant growth. Proof that she's as comfortable with commercial strategy as she is with craft.
Now, as Marketing Manager at Marlborough Heartland, Michelle is focused on what she's always cared about. Telling honest stories about real people, real land, and wine that means something.
.