Nick is the second-eldest son of John and Wendy Buck. He had an eye for business from an early age – his first venture selling shelled walnuts as a child in Te Mata’s Cellar Door. He went on to complete a Business degree at Massey University and then work around the globe in wine retail, importation, and distribution. During this period, he never declined an opportunity to taste his way through the wines of Europe. He returned to his wine production roots in 2000, initially responsible for all aspects of Te Mata’s sales and marketing and in 2013 was appointed Chief Executive. Nick lives in Havelock North at Te Mata’s Khandalah vineyard with his wife Lisa and their five children.

Alastair is a born and bred Wellingtonian. He lives there with his wife, Emma, and has two adult children, Isabella and Ned.

He has been involved in the hospitality industry, either as a chef or wine merchant, for many years and currently works for the New Zealand Restaurant Association.  For many years Alastair has also been a guide at Zealandia Eco Sanctuary, with a strong connection to the place and New Zealand’s conservation history. He loves fishing too and cooking. As well as good Bordeaux and taking the dog out for a walk.

Fiona Morris is a communications specialist based in Wellington. As the daughter of Te Mata Estate co-founders Michael and June Morris, she served a long apprenticeship in the form of childhood holidays spent planting, watering, and tying young vines, and driving Henry the tractor on Te Mata’s slopes. In her professional life, she has held roles in environment, health policy, the tourism industry, and as a journalist at RNZ.

She also spent two years working in the Pacific with her husband and photographer Murray Lloyd. Fiona is pleased to be able to contribute to maintaining continuity in the family business where tender young vines have come to fruition at Te Mata Estate.

Having grown up ‘on the land’ in northern Hawke’s Bay, Phil has a natural love and appreciation of the local terroir, the climate, rivers, soil, and sea, and its immense contribution to wine. He combines this understanding with a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Wine Science.

Phil is also a Senior Wine Judge and an extreme wine junky. He’s married to Leanne and has two children, Benjamin and Hannah. He joined the Te Mata Estate team in 1992 and has had vintage experiences at Clos des Lombrays, Burgundy, and at Chateau Margaux, Bordeaux.