Passionate pedigreed winemaking
Vibrant, complex and perfectly balanced, Dashwood wines are crafted in small parcels from sustainably farmed vineyards by highly awarded Chief Winemaker Stu Marfell.
Stu Marfell
Chief Winemaker
Born and raised in the Awatere Valley, Stu Marfell witnessed its exciting transformation from quiet pastoral farming to celebrated appellation. A graduate of Lincoln University, Canterbury with a Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology, Stu joined the team in 2003 as Assistant Winemaker, becoming Chief Winemaker in 2007. Stu has since been awarded ‘New Zealand Winemaker of the Show’ at the New Zealand International Wine Show in both 2018 and 2022.
Susan van der Pol
Winemaker
Susan van der Pol was raised in Blenheim, the centre of Marlborough’s wine industry. In 2002, she was awarded a diploma in Viticulture & Wine Production from Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology. Susan then spent two vintages overseas before returning to New Zealand and joining the team as Assistant Winemaker in 2011.
Tom Turner
Assistant Winemaker
Originally from North Canterbury, Tom’s interest in wine took hold when his family planted a small vineyard. Since 2012 he has worked across renowned wine regions in France, Australia, United States, South America and New Zealand. A graduate of Lincoln University with distinction in a diploma of Oenology and Viticulture, Tom joined the team in 2019.
Mat Duncan
Viticulturist
Fond memories of growing up on his father’s vineyard in Hawkes Bay solidified Mat’s choice to pursue a career in viticulture. Mat graduated from Lincoln University with a Diploma in Horticultural Management and joined the team in 2007 as Vineyard Manager, now overseeing 205 hectares of vineyards between the Awatere and Wairau Valleys.