Our People

Neal & Judy Ibbotson

Directors

Neal and Judy Ibbotson’s extensive viticulture experience have allowed them to identify the best areas and sites in Marlborough. Since 1978 they gradually purchased land at six different Marlborough locations (including the Rapaura, Awatere, Waihopai and Omaka Valleys) and built up an excellent knowledge of what varieties do best in each of the sites. They then either replanted or top grafted their vineyards accordingly on each site.

The Ibbotson Family

Saint Clair Estate Wines is a family business with the next generation also involved.

Son Tony looks after the design and branding. Tony has his own design consultancy business, The Creative Method, in Surry Hills, Sydney. Tony designed the original Saint Clair labels back in 1994, when he was a design student. He has been designing and expanding the range of Saint Clair labels ever since.

Daughters Sarina and Julie both work within the business in sales and marketing after studying Wine Business Marketing at Adelaide University.

Matt Thomson

Chief Winemaker

Saint Clair has one of the leading winemaking teams in the country headed by Matt Thomson (B.Sc and M.Sc Biochem, Otago). Matt has been involved with Saint Clair since its inception in 1994. He also has had winemaking experience on a regular basis in a number of areas in Italy and in Bordeaux.

Matt is uncompromising on quality. Comparatively little emphasis is placed on technological gadgetry. This natural, uncluttered approach helps produce wines with distinctive characters, which are clearly appreciated by an increasingly sophisticated wine drinking public in an increasing number of world markets.

Up until harvest Matt spends most of his time monitoring the changing flavour profile of the grapes. He notes the difference in flavour between bunches and between the different vineyard areas to ensure that they are picked at optimum time. Neal says, “Matt has a great palate and tremendous skill for optimising these grape flavours at harvest.”

Matt’s skills and the time he spends in the vineyard are extremely important in Saint Clair’s viticulture and winemaking process and they are being rewarded through the outstanding quality of their wines.

Hamish Clark

Senior Winemaker

Hamish Clark is the winery’s senior winemaker and has worked for Saint Clair since 2001. Hamish has a unique background with a BSC in Microbiology and BSC in Zoology from Otago University. He gained a significant placement in an experienced team in the DNA Forensics Department with the Forensic Science Services at the Home Office UK. He also worked as a Medical Laboratory Assistant in various hospitals across the continent while he indulged his passion for wine.

Hamish has held a range of positions at Saint Clair including Lab Manager and Cellar Hand in 2001, Assistant Winemaker and Lab Manager in 2002 and Red Wine Winemaker from 2003 until 2006. Hamish is very passionate about the wines he makes for Saint Clair and is a key member of the winemaking team.