OUR
STORY
Our vision began in the air. That’s where founder Chris Pask – flying in the cockpit of his topdressing plane – first saw the potential for growing exceptional grapes in the light, stony soils of the ancient Ngaruroro riverbed.
Sheltered from Pacific breezes and several degrees warmer than any other New Zealand wine-growing area, it was in this sun-drenched valley that Chris planted Pask’s first vines thirty years ago. A prized 1985 Cabernet Sauvignon marked our first vintage and from this modest beginning, the world-renowned Gimblett Gravels wine-growing district was established, and the Pask brand family label was established.
More than three decades later, we’re as passionate as ever about making authentic wines to be shared and enjoyed. Our award-winning winemaking team use sustainable methods ensure the quality and consistency of our wines. From grape-picking in our 60 hectares of vineyards to bottling at our Hawke’s Bay winery, there is hands-on care throughout the entire winemaking process.
Pask wines have earned gold medals and trophy success in London, Australia, Asia, the United States, Canada and New Zealand across a range of varietals and styles, but innovation is important to us. Drawing on the teams winemaking experience and intimate knowledge of Gimblett Gravels, we continue to enhance the quality of our wines, as well as experiment with wine styles and techniques under our “Small Batch” collection.
At Pask, we remain singularly focused on making enduring styles of wine of great value. At our winery you will find a small team of dedicated people who love to make Pask wines. From the dusty tannins of our soil to our cool climate and golden sunshine, we believe every bottle of Pask wine tells a story.
OUR PEOPLE
Jeff Hart & John Benton
LEADERSHIP
JOHN BENTON has been a Director at Pask Winery since 2001, in July 2017 becoming majority shareholder.
John is an avid wine lover & successful NZ businessman, specialising in building and developing a diverse range of businesses including Jackson Estate in Blenhiem.
JEFF HART oversees all aspects of the company, ensuring a smooth operation connecting production, planning, strategic direction, and sales, whilst also covering governance and finance. He has a dynamic hands-on approach to sales and marketing. Domestic and International sales growth is an ongoing goal, without compromising product quality and brand strength. Leading an experienced, diversely skilled team, Jeff’s role is to keep the company’s values to the fore as market changes evolve.
Jeff also heads the Benton Family Wine Group, as well as a diverse portfolio of businesses within the Benton Group.
HEAD WINEMAKER
MATT PATTERSON-GREEN: Matt Patterson-Green has been guiding the wine making for Benton Wines for nearly twenty years to help express the true nature of our vineyards and region, creating interesting, polarising and enjoyable wines.
Matt completed his studies at Massey and Lincoln Universities before working various vineyards and wineries in South Canterbury, Waipara, USA, Marlborough, Germany, Nelson and then to Jackson Estate in Marlborough.
Together under Benton wine group Matt works simultaneously with a small, hands-on team to run both the Jackson Estate and Pask wineries.
Graeme Bee, Vineyard Manager
VITICULTURE
GRAEME BEE, Vineyard Manager
Graeme first joined Pask in 2014, becoming Vineyard Manager in 2016. Since then Graeme has driven vineyard farming sustainability initiatives and enjoyed the challenges that go along with the continual improvements in the Pask vineyards.