OUR
TEAM
Matthew Ward
Winemaker
When you’re born and bred in Marlborough, the wine industry is bound to rub off on you, and for Matt, that was very much the case. Having honed his craft at some of New Zealand’s most renowned wineries including Mahi Wines, Seresin Estate and Wither Hills as well as vintages at Domaine De Montille in Mersault France, Penner-Ash in Oregon and Weingut J.L. Wolf in Wachenheim Germany.
Matt’s winemaking philosophy is simple - produce wines of exceptional balance. To him, balance is as important in wine as it is in life. Matt’s aspiration at Catalina Sounds is to continue producing excellent quality wines of beautiful fruit expression, interest and finesse.
Fraser Brown
Vineyard Manager
Growing up on a farm, Fraser spent much of his youth outdoors. Upon leaving school, he worked in the adventure tourism industry before persuasion from his family resulted in him working alongside his father in vineyard management and contracting. His father instilled in him that hard work and staying one step ahead of the vines will be rewarded with the perfect grape come harvest time.
After many years of experience, the opportunity to work with Catalina Sounds arose in 2011 and it was an easy decision to make. With sheep grazing the paddocks around the vineyard, ducks on the pond and views to the mountains and sea, he knew he’d found his calling.
Grace Rodger
PRODUCTION & EXPORT
LOGISTICS COORDINATOR
A Marlborough gal with a keen eye for wine and detail, Grace is the captain of all things export & logistics for Catalina Sounds, operating out of our Sound of White Vineyard office. When she’s not keeping the wheels turning behind the scenes, you’ll find her exploring the local Marlborough mountain ranges hunting goats or deer, shifting tin at the gym, or unwinding with a glass of Catalina Sounds Chardonnay.
Rupert Steenberg
Sales & Marketing Director
A keen eye for fine wine (& love) brought Rupert to Australia in 2010. Leaving behind his English roots, he spent several years working in sales, marketing and brand management before joining the Catalina Sounds Team in 2021.
Rupert spends most of his time on the phone while walking around the office, so is very annoying. Fortunately he is not in the office all the time.
Madison James
Brand Manager
Chief taster of all things Sauvignon Blanc, Madison joined the crew mid pandemic in 2021 and hit the ground running. With experience in brand and trade marketing Madison sets the pace within the Catalina Sounds family; consistantly ensuring that everything we do is unqiuely Catalina Sounds.
Based in Melbourne, Australia, Madison oversees the brand marketing across the domestic and export markets, crafting a sense of Marlborough at every turn.
Lois Alexander
Events Manager
Not quite born a Marlborough local but certainly one these days, Lois is the chief of all things events in New Zealand! With experience across wine and travel, her time spent abroad only deepened her appreciation for New Zealand, in particular the Marlborough Sounds. A place she now spends her weekends with her husband, dogs and a bottle of Catalina Sauvignon Blanc!
With a keen eye for memorable consumer experiences and creative ways to tell our story, the Catalina Sounds events calendar is ever evolving. Whether it’s a Sound of Summer, Urban Wine Walk or everything in between, Lois is at the heart of bringing the Catalina Sounds experience to life.
