Age: 28

Hailing from: Born in Flensburg, Germany

Is this your first time in NZ? Yes it’s my first time in NZ.

How did you get into the wine industry? I helped with vintage work at a small winery in Bordeaux in 2019. This gave me a first glimpse into the profession. Both the product “wine” and the many different working processes got me interested.

What has been your winemaking experience up until now? This is my 6th vintage. 1st harvest: Bordeaux, France 2nd, 3rd and 4th harvest: Pfalz, Germany 5th harvest: Rhône valley, France

How did you hear about Greystone? The search for a certified organic winery in New Zealand and compliments for the Greystone wines, especially the Pinot Noir, from winemaker friends in Germany drew my attention to the winery.

What do you do for work back home? I am studying viticulture and oenology at Weincampus Neustadt.

What is the most memorable wine you’ve ever tasted? It’s hard to decide on one wine. But in the recent past, I was particularly impressed by the Crémant du Jura from Marnes Blanches and the 2014 Malterdinger Pinot Noir from Bernhard Huber.

What are you most looking forward to this upcoming vintage? I’m looking forward to an exciting time with a great team and also to lots of grapes! I hope to learn many new things!

What is your favourite task in the winery? Everything to do with harvest, but especially red wine production. From grape receiving to punch down, digging out fermenters and pressing.

What is your favourite Greystone wine? So far I’m a big fan of the 2023 Greystone Pétillant Naturel Rosé and the 2019 Greystone Pinot Noir.

Did you grow up with wine in your family? I grew up in a beer region in northern Germany. My parents are not wine experts, but they occasionally have a glass of wine. I’ve been allowed to taste wines with them since I was 16. However, I only started tasting wines seriously when I started studying viticulture and oenology in 2020.

What future aspirations do you have – in or out of the wine world? In the future, I would like to continue working in wine production. Both in the wine cellar and the vineyard. Maybe I’d even like to run my own small winery one day.