Ant Moore, owner of Ant Moore Wines
Can you give us some background about the business and the wines you make?
Ant Moore produces wines in Marlborough, New Zealand. With the majority of our production focusing on Sauvignon Blanc, we also produce Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, rosé,méthode traditionnelle sparkling wines, and Pinot Noir.
We have been making wines in Marlborough since the early 2000’s. After a few years working for others, we took the plunge and bought Marlborough Vintners. Our winery has had a few expansions since then and we are now home to not only our own production but a number of clients.
As and Australian Ant Moore has made his name and reputation as a winemaker and producer in New Zealand
Three years ago, we expanded our hospitality offerings, with the opening of a brewery and taproom and an Italian styled restaurant.
We have a number of vineyards across Marlborough, along with a partnership with two Central Otago vineyards, enabling us to source a variety of quality fruit that allows us to build upon their different characteristics and produce wines that are full of aroma, juicy and expressive on the palate, and exceeding expectations each year.
Where do you currently sell most of your wine - domestically and internationally?
Our largest market is the US and we also have a presence across Canada, Europe, Asia, Australia and now the UK with Condor Wines. We intentionally focused on our export market first before five years ago placing more resource into our domestic, New Zealand, market, which we are now seeing wonderful synergies with people visiting our restaurant and cellar door and being able to find our wine also back home on the wine shop shelf.
You have decided to work with Condor Wines in the UK - why did you want to work together particularly as this the first time that Condor is distributing New Zealand wines in the UK?
Ant Moore and his family - Tom, Jess, Will and Lily
It is an exciting time for Condor as it launches its New Zealand arm of its portfolio and to have had the timing align where we were seeking distribution in the UK as they were searching for New Zealand partners is very fortuitous.
From our first connect with Lee (Evans, managing director) we could see the passion that Condor has for delivering exceptional wines to the UK and we knew we would be well looked after.
How did you decide which partner to work with in the UK market - what criteria did you use?
We were looking for someone that was already established with a range of routes to market. Historically we have been in the UK market but have been absent for a number of years, so wanted to work with someone that would respect our past but also utilise the opportunity of a clean slate to reintroduce Ant Moore to the UK consumer and we felt Condor presented an opportunity that fitted this hope nicely.
Why and how do you think your wines are suitable for the UK market?
Simply, you can’t beat a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and ours is pretty great. We pride ourselves of producing high quality wines at an accessible price point as we want an Ant Moore wine in everyone’s fridge at home.
Wine is about the experience it brings, the dinner party at home, the glass down at your local with friends after work, it enables connection. The UK market understands that, and our wine is the vehicle to enable it.
What is your winemaking and branding philosophy in terms of the wines you want to make?
Ant Moore wines are now available in the UK thanks to the new partnership with Condor Wines
Our winemaking philosophy is hands off and quite unintrusive. We place a lot of effort and resource into our vineyards to ensure that the fruit that we are starting with is of the highest quality possible.
This enables us to let the fruit itself do a lot of the work and the winemaking team to guide the winemaking process rather than dictate and manipulate. As mentioned above we want our wines to be accessible.
We have wines for the big occasions and for the quieter moments. We aim to be open and real and a lot of that stems from how our owner Ant goes about life. Brining people on the journey with him, having a good deal of fun along the way and producing a product that we’re very proud of.
How do you see the overall New Zealand wine market in terms of its strengths?
We have a phenomenal product in Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc which has cemented our position on the map. Our industry celebrated 50 years in 2025, and it is now time to build upon this foundation and take our potential to the next step – that is very exciting for New Zealand wine.
Fortuitously New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is the shining light in quite an unstable global wine landscape which is a big plus.
We’ve got a fantastic cohort of the next generation coming through, from those taking over family estates to those entering the industry as we grow and a greater workforce is required.
What do you see as the country’s biggest challenges?
Our biggest challenge is balancing supply and demand. At the end of the day, we are farmers. There are going to be good years and not so good years. How we react to this and unite as an industry will show how we get through the tough times and capitalise on the successes.
There has been a lot of expansion over the past 10 or so years, and we are still a relatively young industry, so in many ways we are still learning as we grow.
Recent harvests have put a lot of pressure on supply from New Zealand with oversupply becoming a major issue - how has that affected you?
Grapes arriving at the Ant Moore winery
Packaged wine has remained relatively steady, and our bulk production has taken a bit of a hit with demand slowing. We have a greater market presence than we did back in 2008/09 when things were equally as tough, which is positive and continuing to build relationships with new countries and broadening our reach is critical.
What steps do you think the industry needs to take to rebalance the market?
Stay positive, unite and work together.
What plans do you have for your wines in the coming 18 months in terms of styles and varieties?
We tend to keep things relatively steady with our Ant Moore a+ wine each year. We’re continually looking for opportunities when it comes to our vineyard portfolio and our newest development in the Koromiko, in Marlborough’s northern corridor, will see its first harvest in 2027 which is exciting.
What do you see as your big, untapped opportunities?
We are doing a lot of research into alternative packaging at the moment. A few markets are providing opportunities for the likes of bag in box, canned wine, and wine spritz, so we are looking forward to continuing to explore these opportunities.
Anything else to say?
Drink Ant Moore!
Robert Watkins, chief executive at Mt Beautiful Wines
Can you give us some background about the business and the wines you make?
Robert Watkins is excited about the opportunities working with Condor Wines now gives Mt Beautiful in the UK - a key strategic export market
Mt Beautiful was founded on the premise to maximise and harness our given terroir - to combine the land, people and natural New Zealand resources as a product and experience to share with the world.
We care deeply about the people in our community, our working teams, and the land upon which we grow our unique offerings. We invest in opportunities that fit our high standards, work with people that share our beliefs and above all make wine that we ourselves enjoy and are immensely proud of.
Where do you currently sell most of your wine - domestically and internationally?
Our largest market is US that takes 75% of our exports, followed by New Zealand 15%, 5% in the UK, and 5% to Asia.
You have decided to work with Condor Wines in the UK - why did you want to work together particularly as this the first time that Condor is distributing New Zealand wines in the UK?
We wanted to partner with Condor Wines for its first time distributing New Zealand wines because we trust in a strong partnership built on having aligned ideals, values and marketing philosophy.
How did you decide which partner to work with in the UK market - what criteria did you use?
Mt Beautiful's owner and founder David Teece
We strive to work with companies and partners that share the same ethos and market strategies.
Why and how do you think your wines are suitable for the UK market?
New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir are mainstays of the British consumer palate and we offer a premium selection from a smaller region at competitive price points.
What is your winemaking and branding philosophy in terms of the wines you want to make?
We make varietally correct wines from New Zealand with traditional old school methods like using french oak, natural yeast, and certified sustainable practices to create wines we also like to drink ourselves.
How do you see the overall New Zealand wine market in terms of its strengths and challenges?
Our biggest strength remains Sauvignon Blanc which is growing against a declining consumer consumption
Out main challenge is competition with alternative experiences amongst younger consumers.
Recent harvests have put a lot of pressure on supply from New Zealand with oversupply becoming a major issue - how has that affected you?
Mt Beautiful certainly lives up to its name...
Luckily, we have been able to manage our large vintages with expanded labels and distribution expansion.
What steps do you think the industry needs to take to rebalance the market?
Pricing, supply and marketing call to action.
What plans do you have for your wines in the coming 18 months in terms of styles and varieties?
We are quite happy with our house styles but we are pushing the envelope on barrel selected Pinots and Chardonnays.
Anything else to say?
We are very excited to partner with Condor Wines and look forward to a successful year together.
* You can find out more about Condor Wines and the rest of its wines and portfolio here.
