Swiftsure by Man O' War

No stranger to adverse conditions, winemaker Duncan McTavish has spent over a decade at the helm of Man O’ War Vineyards -making iconic wines on Waiheke Island, one of New Zealand’s most unique environments.

As part of a small and passionate team bringing Swiftsure to life, he has relished the opportunity to return to the South where he learned his craft, navigating the contrasting conditions to produce world-class Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and Bannockburn Pinot Noir.

Acclaimed for his innovative and adventurous winemaking style, Duncan’s thumbprint ensures Swiftsure is a true expression of both soil and spirit, an off-piste approach paired with the dramatic sub-alpine landscapes where our vineyards lie.

Sam Taylor's passion for viticulture all started with a school holiday job. From there he recieved a Viticulture Degree from EIT in Hawkes Bay and gained hands-on experience with a range of producers throughout Hawkes Bay, Auckland and France.

Sam joined Man O’ War in 2009, where in time he became Vineyard Manager/Viticulturist. Vineyard management at Man O’ War is challenging but also incredibly rewarding. The property consists of 75 individual vineyards, across two islands (Waiheke & Ponui Islands). Variations in vine density, row width, slope and aspect all create unique growing environments. Learning the vineyards characteristics is a process that takes time and careful observation.

When the team decided to venture south with the vision of establishing Swiftsure Vineyards, Sam embraced the opportunity to lead the viticultural operations in the iconic Marlborough region, relocating with his family and Zoe the Border Collie, who has been a beloved fixture in our vineyards over the years.

Sam continues to keep a guiding eye over Man O’ War.

Buy Swiftsure by Man O' War wine below.