Ross is a Winemaker and Viticulturist based in Marlborough, New Zealand.

Ross holds a Bachelor of Viticulture and Advanced Diploma in Wine Science from the Eastern Institute of Technology in Hawkes Bay, and has worked in winemaking, viticulture, consulting and management roles across many wine regions of New Zealand and Canada. His current role is Viticulture Innovation Leader at the Bragato Research Institute.

Outside of his wine life, Ross is a prolific sourdough bread baker, is a wild fermenter of pretty much anything, is an enthusiastic (but quite slow) mountain and gravel biker, and enjoys sailing (again, quite slow).

Current employer: Bragato Research Institute

Primary area(s) of work: Wine production, Trade, Strategy

Industry sector(s): Project management, Viticulture, Winemaking, Business owner, Agency/Importer, Educator, Consultant, Wine judge, Bulk Wine, Import/Export, Technology, Wine business strategy, Wine buying, Winery operations

Wine styles: Fine and rare wines, Natural, Orange wines, Sparkling wine, Champagne, Sweet wines, Fortified wines, Port, Madeira, Still white, Still red, Still rosé, Still wines, Ice wine , Dry wines

Wine region expertise: Abruzzo, Australia, Austria, Canada, Canterbury (NZ), Central Otago, Hawke's Bay, Marche, Marlborough, New Zealand, Pfalz, Portugal, USA, France, Alsace, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone, Champagne, Rioja, Italy, Piedmont, Tuscany, California, Washington, Oregon, Okanagan Valley, Douro, England, Martinborough, Nelson

Market expertise: New Zealand, Canada

Specialisms: Sustainability, Vine species, Vine varieties, Clones, Development of new vine varieties, Vine propagation, Rootstocks and grafting, Life cycle of the vine, Establishment of vineyards, Acquisition of vineyards, Factors affecting grape growing, Cultivation of the vine, Maladies of the vine and their control, Structure and composition of grapes, Harvesting of grapes, Biodynamics, Organic viticulture, Commercial advice on vinyard establishment, Research , Environmental impacts, Financial, Legal compliance, Regenerative, Startup and profitability, Vine burial, Processing of grapes, Fermentation, Maturation and blending, Stabilisation and clarification, Production of sparkling wines, Production of fortified wines, Economics of wine production, Legal compliance with authorised oenological practices, Wine styling, Winery design and construction, Production costs, P&L, Whole cluster fermentation, Elevage / maturation, Blending, Preparation of finished wine for bottling, Packing and labelling, Quality assurance and control, Bulk shipment, Bottling, Sensory evaluation , Marketing wine, Supplier/customer relationships, Importation, Direct to consumer, Wine labels, Wine tourism, Branding, Ecommerce, Education, New business development, Starting wineries, Wine judging