Our Team

The Escarpment Team

Larry McKenna, Founder.

After 23 years, our Prince of Pinot (as he’s often referred to) Larry McKenna retired. It was an end of era — not just for us but for the NZ wine industry. This stalwart and champion of NZ wine leaves a legacy we can all be proud of. Larry is handing the baton to our determined and invigorated team, Rowan Hoskins and Tim Bourne, who desire to continue with Larry’s vision, making the most premium Pinot Noir and taking it to the world.

We know Larry will continue to share his vast knowledge and experience with the wine community but for now we wish him a most well-deserved and happy retirement.

TIM BOURNE

SENIOR WINEMAKER

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Initially graduating with a BSc, majoring in Geography, Tim spent a few years working and travelling and not knowing what he wanted to do. After returning from an OE in the UK, he fell on his feet with his first vintage in Marlborough, and caught the wine bug. He then went back to study a post-graduate diploma in Oenology through EIT in the Hawke’s Bay.

Short stints in Central Otago and Waipara, along with a vintage in The Great Southern Region in Western Australia, lead Tim to the Barossa Valley. After working in the Barossa for nearly 7 years, Tim once again returning to Marlborough eventually taking up the opportunity to work with Larry and the fantastic Escarpment wines.

Tim has worked as an Associate Judge in a number of Australian and New Zealand wineshows and was the dux of the AWRI Advanced Wine Assessment Course in 2015.

Outside of work, he and his wife Lacey have 3 fantastic children Eamon, Campbell and Xanthe. With spare time dedicated to them, along with exploring the wonderful world of wine (and gin!!)

ROWAN HOSKINS

VITICULTURIST/SITE MANAGER

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Rowans interest in viticulture and wine started at a young age as he grew up in and around vineyards in Martinborough, due to his father being Martinborough vineyards viticulturist at the time. After becoming an electrician in Gisborne then working in the Hawkes Bay and back to the Wairarapa, he decided to take the plunge and follow his passion in the wine industry. Nick Hoskins was starting up Vine Managers at the time, so he decided to take a job in 2006 and work in the vines. This cemented his passion for the industry and led him to complete a level 4 advanced viticulture whilst running Redbank Estate under the guidance of Nick. Rowan went on to manage Cobblestones (which is now our Pahi single vineyard), and Schubert vineyard before managing Escarpment under Vine managers.

Outside of work Rowan and his wife Brooke have 4 kid’s Ruby, Indigo, Rowan and Bodhi. Is a keen surfer and mountain bike rider loves the outdoors and sharing it with his family.

ANDREA CANNING

OFFICE MANAGER

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Andrea joined Escarpment in August 2017 having worked in office administration and customer service roles for 25 years.

While she is an amateur but enthusiastic ‘taster of wine’ she is looking forward to furthering her knowledge working alongside the team at Escarpment. She loves the lifestyle Martinborough offers and enjoys spending her time with her husband and family, and is an avid sports fan – in particular Football (that’s the round ball).

Andrea is your first point of contact and looks after all the day-to-day administration, sales and logistics for Escarpment Vineyard.

HILARY FORSTER

OPERATIONS SUPERVISOR

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Born and raised in the Waikato, Hilary moved down to the Wairarapa in 2018. She spent two years working as a tractor operator at Matahiwi Estate, outside of Masterton, before joining the Escarpment team at the beginning of the 2020 - 2021 growing season. In her spare time, Hilary is outdoors exploring the country, playing squash and spending time with her vineyard dog, Asher.

MARK GILLESPIE

TECHNICAL ASSISTANT

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Following University, a rugby playing OE took Mark to South-West France where he gained an insight into the rewarding life of a vigneron. Work at a family run winery and meeting a lovely young French woman in the cellar (his wife Marine), inspired him to pursue a career in wine.

He completed studies in viticulture and winemaking through EIT in Hawkes Bay while gaining further experience in France.

During a vintage in Martinborough in 2010 he discovered both the wines and a region that he always felt he'd come back to. This was followed by two years in the Hunter Valley and several more in France.

In 2021 Mark and Marine with daughters Marla and Adele decided to make the move to Martinborough where he joined the incredible team at Escarpment.

Outside of work Mark enjoys exploring the outdoors, running, surfing and spending time with the family.

LEEANN O'NEILL

MARKETING & EXPORT ASSISTANT

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Leeann has worked in the tourism sector in the Wairarapa for many years, bringing a wealth of tourism experience. She is using this to assist in the development of the Escarpment's Tasting Room and with the promotion of the Escarpment wine range, as the winery heads into new overseas markets.

Leeann assists Andrea with office administration, export sales and documentation, along with social media. She is excited to be working alongside the Escarpment team learning as much as she can about wine.

She was born in the Wairarapa, and after having two children in Australia, headed home in 2004, before adding a third. She has enjoyed watching the area grow as a destination for both visitors and Wellingtonians making the Wairarapa their home or weekend playground.