Simon and Jane in Christchurch Botancal Gardens. Our first photo together.
I have been asked to write a biography for Simon. Our wine company is based on him. He is the winemaker, an owner and director. It is his creativity, skill and vision that leads and inspires us. Astrolabe and Durvillea wines are made by him.
This isn’t a new thing for him. He has been making wine since university, 30 years ago. It is about then that I came into the story. Simon and I met at Canterbury University in 1980. He was studying botany and I was studying history. We met through friends, and one of those instrumental in that is Paul Davenport, one of our partners in Astrolabe. However, I am getting ahead of myself. We need to rewind a bit.
Tailing at Double Bay, Banks Peninsula
Earlier 1980's at Double Bay.
After completing his BSc, Simon began a Masters in Natural Resources. He had a particular interest in seaweed. To help fund his studies and lifestyle he worked in a liquor store. Here he became exposed to wine. Growing up in rural South Island in the 1960’s and 1970’s was an era of spirit and beer drinking, meat and three veg. Simon had also joined the university wine club. It was also at the store, Quill Humphries, that Simon picked a brochure for a post-graduate winemaking course at Roseworthy College near Gawler, South Australia. He was interested.
Simon and Rob Woodgate outside Yalumba
Before committing to winemaking he decided to try out the industry by working in the cellar. With the help of introductions from Tom Maling, family friend and a senior employee at Quill Humphries, in January 1982 Simon abandoned the Masters and headed for South Australia to work at Yalumba Wines in the Barossa Valley. Although an undergraduate I followed, enrolling in Flinders University in South Australia to complete my BA. At this time Simon’s move was a very left-field career decision. The number of trained winemakers in NZ at the time could probably have sat together at a dining table.
- Moving to Te Kauwhata
At the end of 1985 studies were completed and we had a small daughter, Meg. Simon was offered a job back at Cooks as assistant winemaker and the thought of a steady income and family within reach, was appealing. At this stage a generation of young, university trained winemakers were emerging and returning to NZ. Kim Crawford, Neil Culley, Brent Marris and Mark Robertson. For these young winemakers timing was everything. They entered the industry as it was on the rise.
Within two years Simon was promoted to chief winemaker at Corbans in Gisborne, as Glenn Thomas and Dave Pearce moved to the emerging region of Marlborough as foundation winemakers for Vavasour and Grove Mill respectively. A considerable number of talented winemakers worked for Corbans, including James Healy, Claire Allen, and Alan MCorkindale.
- Vintage 1991 in Gisborne. A very tired father with 3 small girls
In 1996 on the shores of Lake Taupo we sat with Paul Davenport and Sally Lewis and planned to have ago at making our own wine. Astrolabe was born. Initially producing a chardonnay, the opportunity to invest in a vineyard development in Waihopai secured a sauvignon blanc supply. We were away. Show results were excellent culminating in winning the Best Sauvignon Blanc in the world in 2005 and 2008.
At this point the range had grown and Simon also decided to withdraw from his other responsibilities and focus on Astrolabe, his own brand. As a senior judge on the NZ wine circuit Simon had a good understanding and respect for the show system. However he made the decision to withdraw from shows in order to follow his own clear idea of the Astrolabe style.
Meg and Henry's wedding March 2011
Libby and Pete's wedding March 2012
Now it is vintage 2012. Simon is busy with the harvest. Astrolabe wines are Simon’s wines, they speak of his integrity and skill as a winemaker.
Simon checking on a ferment
In 2005 we bought our Nolans Rd property and renamed it Astrolabe Farm. Simon and I own this property and by default it has become the home of Astrolabe. The first vintage of Astrolabe was from the chardonnay vines on this property. We are still Astrolabe growers today.
Appendix ii:
In 2008 we decided to create a second label. We created Durvillea as the little sister brand. It gave me and our daughters the opportunity to create a brand about the women in our family, accessible quality and affordable wine, made by Simon.
“The wedding” you say… “wasn’t that in March?” 
