ABOUT
Early Days
Douglas grew up amidst the historic regions of Henderson, Kumeu, Huapai, and Waimauku in West Auckland, where rolling hills were blanketed with orchards, market gardens, and vineyards. His family owned an eight-hectare farm affectionately named Eros Gardens, a place where his childhood unfolded in harmony with nature. Days were spent frolicking among vegetable beds, wandering through vibrant flower fields, and climbing the mature orchard trees to pick fruit from the highest branches. From an early age, Douglas’s first “job” in life was working alongside the land.
Weekends often took him to his Nana and Poppa’s farm in Waimauku, where he raced around on motorbikes and crafted homemade bows and arrows from bamboo. Other weekends were spent with his Oma and Opa at Pleasant Valley Wines in Henderson Valley, where he would weave through rows of vines, stopping only to feast on handfuls of sweet Pinotage and Chardonnay grapes. These early experiences nurtured Douglas’s deep connection to the land, instilling in him an enduring love for nature, farming, and the rich viticultural heritage of West Auckland.
In his twenties, Douglas worked on strawberry farms, vineyards, and in a garden centre before pursuing his passion for wine more formally. He went on to earn two degrees in Viticulture and Oenology, immersing himself in soil science, plant physiology, botany, microbiology, biochemistry, and every facet of growing grapes and crafting wine.
Fast forward a few decades, and Douglas returned to Kumeu — this time not as a student, but as a winemaker. Over the years, he worked across all facets of the wine business at several of New Zealand’s top wineries, refining his craft and deepening his expertise. His dedication and skill were recognised with awards at the Romeo Bragato Wine Awards, and he was invited to serve as an associate wine judge for Wine NZ, one of the country’s premier wine publications. His work also gained international recognition, featuring in Sweden’s highly acclaimed wine book Tjugo Svenska Vingårdar.
Bordeaux Bound
At the age of 33, Douglas secured a coveted position at the prestigious Grand Cru Château Langoa and Léoville Barton in Saint-Julien, Bordeaux — one of France’s most celebrated wine estates, with family roots tracing back to before the time of Napoleon. For two vintages over two remarkable years, the farm boy from Kumeu found himself living and working alongside winemaking royalty, immersed in the traditions, techniques, and timeless artistry of one of the world’s greatest wine regions.
Authorship
His passion for wine didn't end there. He also painstakingly wrote a book on New Zealand's finest wineries. He walked the vineyards, searched the cellars and talked with winemakers and vineyard managers to gather fascinating insights about the viticulture methods employed, the oenology practices used and the people who work long days in the vineyard and equally long nights in the cellar. Often visiting wineries several times, and always with his camera, he captured the beauty and seasonal differences of vineyards around the country.
100 Great New Zealand Wineries was published in New Zealand bookstores nationwide in 2017. Featured on TV, radio and podcasts, his book was well received by New Zealanders and wine lovers from around the world. His passion and drive lead him to write his second book on wine which is planned to be published soon.
Douglas lives in Taranaki on the west of New Zealand where he works as a consultant winemaker, wine author and wine contributor for the popular Good Magazine NZ.